Nacer Barazite is currently Arsenal Reserves & Youth leading goalscorer with 19 goals this season, he is rated as one of the Gunners biggest prospects as well as a huge talent in world football and at just 17 has already made two appearance’s for the Dutch Under 19’s side, and has already stuck twice, meaning he is the player most Arsenal fans are excited about.
Nacer started out with Dutch side NEC Nijmegen in his native Holland, after coming through the system, he was scouted and was quickly signed by Arsenal in the summer of 2006, making his debut in central midfield against Boreham Wood, he got on the score sheet and his giant frame and passing ability caught the eye, then followed spells on the wing and up front, before this season settling as a striker, this season, where his incredible goalscoring record has led to calls he should be given a birth in the first team.
In September he signed a two year professional contract, something Barazite admits has been the making of him in an amazing season:
“My attitude is even more professional, i have trained with the first team and i think that has been a big factor, i know the value of hard work and the determination to keep working to improve and raise my own standards, i have been able to pick things up quickly”
Training and developing with the first team has been massive for Nacer, and it has shown in his goal scoring record and overall play, but the Dutchman knows he alot more to learn before he can push for a first team place:
“There are aspects [Of Football] that needs pure hard work and determination, working and talking to the strikers in the first team has helped accelerate my development and definitely helped my confidence”
One thing you notice about alot of Barazite’s goals is that many of them are from long range, or finishes that only the most confident of forwards would try, tricks and flicks from a player who is on top of his game and enjoying life in London, but although confidence is high, Nacer admits he knows he has talent and the more he shows it, the better the results are:
“I Began The Season, Wanting To Express Myself, And I Found The More I Did That.. The More Success I Achieved”
Many have called for his inclusion in the first team with injuries to fellow countryman Robin Van Persie, and Eduardo, and when he has had the chance to play in the first team, its only been a few minutes, however when he was brought on against Blackburn, he showed early potential as the game was set for extra time, however disaster stuck, and he left the field on a stretcher with oxygen mask strapped around his face.
“At the time i was in so much pain, as i slipped i dislocated my shoulder, the main thing i was thinking was, “Why Is This Happening Now!?” i played in the Carling Cup against Sheffield United and i felt good when i came on against Blackburn, i had a few good touches, i was making some good runs and was really enjoying the game, i really felt i could made an impact in the game”
However his mental strength helped pull him through, he kept positive, and was back within a month, doing what he does best, scoring goals including a hat-trick for the Under 18’s against Southampton, Nacer took the injury in his stride and confirmed it has helped him become stronger:
“What the experience did was bring home that a serious injury could happen to me or any player, at anytime, but at the same time i have learnt to deal with it, in that i do not worry about the possibility of injury, the only way to play, is without fear”
Having featured for the first team, and Reserves it would seem difficult to get motivated for an Under 18s fixture, with often exposed conditions and small crowd, however the free-scoring forward says it is not a problem for him.
“I play with the same attitude for whichever team i play for, i give everything, i try my best and that’s the only attitude any player can have, whether i play with the Youth team or first team, we play good football at every level, there is always something to learn from any game and situation, and that fact keeps me motivated”
His fantastic professional attitude will take him far in football, added to his amazing football skills on the pitch, Nacer has the perfect cocktail to become on of the world’s best players, the future looks very very bright for the 17 year old.
Quotes From – The Arsenal Matchday Programme
Article By – J.Sanderson
looks like hes a similar sort of character to our current dutch master RVP hopefully he wont be injured as frequently as RVP.
No doubting he’s a special talent, i just can’t understand the lack of hype around him compared to Fran, Lansbury etc.
Similar to RVP?
Lets hope he doesn’t go and get accused of raping someone then!
Lansbury gets alot of praise mainly because he is English, but for me Nacer is the best player we have in the system.
He has such a hige technical level, he has similar feet to Alex Hleb, but likes to shoot from distance.
‘lack of hype’ is a good thing in my opinion.
how good is he in the air.. he’s a tall lad isn’t it?
Has anyone seen him play ?, if so how do you rate him. Also does he have a similar playing style to anyone we might know ?
he is 6’1 so 186cm.
He is not bad in the air, but prefers it into his feet where he can dance his way past people.
and year, the lack of hype means the pressure if of, and he can express himself.
so his first touch is better than ade or nick?
is he a striker or a winger…?
Fran is hyped because of his situation (transfer problems) Lansbury is english def more coverage for him….
He has a superb touch, very much like Hleb, he can dribble the ball so well, and he is physically huge, so he can hold people off.
yes his touch is better than Ade or Nicklas, and he can play as a winger or striker it doesnt matter.
he is going to be a huge talent, many people have compared him to Kaka, because of the way he runs, and plays.
ball control like hleb and actually shoots and scores!!!!
wow.. thanks sanderson…looking forward to seeing him play
i watched him in a reserve match a upton park a few months back and he reminded me alot like ibrahimovich
I guess we will be lucky to see him in the first team in 2 -3 years time, that is if he doesnt go on loan and come back with the expectation of first team football.
Then again the foreign players are usually more willing to bide their time. I must say the brief time we saw him in CC, I was impressed
Compared him to Kaka, you say? That alone is nice reading. :) The fact that he can play on the wings as well as a striker makes it even better! I hope he’ll score a TON of goals for Arsenal in the future. The lad seems to have a good workethic and professional attitude as well. Hope he’ll have a bright future with the Arsenal! :)
Is he expected to be part of the first team next season or is a loan move in the offing?
Spot on nico04. I’ve seen him play a couple of times and he does play like ibrahimovic/ bebatov. he is very comfortable on the ball plus has the strength to go with it. Honestly guys we have a gem in our hands as i can see him being a first team player once he gets the chance as i believe he will impress straight away once in the league cup team
Arsene usually keeps the special special talents close to him, like Cesc,Clichy,RVP,Anelka, none of them went out on loan so will indeed be intresting next season. Wishing him all the best.
how fast is he? if he reminds of kaka he should be pretty fast :)
Very encouraging words lads. I like the sound of this guy. Anyone know of a good video compilation. The ones of youtube are a bit sparse.
i watched him a few weeks ago 4 the reserves and tbh he reminded me of c.ronaldo he even is the same height as him
hes much taller hes lyk 6ft4/5
Its a common mistake that he is 6’4, because football manager put it, however Arsenal have confirmed he is 6’1 in the interview
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So he is a cross between Kaka and Christiano Ronaldo Lol, some people really need to lay off the crack pipe let him prove himself in the first team before or on loan to another team next season before we judge how good he is because like Mark Randell said reserve team football is not exactly a high standard and just because some people think he is the next best thing, i do not by the way, it does not meen he will make it IMO
we are not saying he is the new Kaka or Ronaldo Kent, we are saying he has the qualities of those players, you would have to be stupid to take that as a comparision.
Great to hear he can score from far out… exactly what we need! I’m really excited about nacer, he seems really great and hopefully he will be a regualr in the CC next season??
He sounds like a Hleb with an eye for goal, he has to be great then!
The problem with english youngsters is that they expect to be playing first team football as soon as they hit 20, so i doubt the likes of Lansbury, Randall and Gibbs will be patient enough to fight for a place in the 1st team… its a shame cuz theyre really talented.
With 7 subs being able to be named next season, i really hope Wenger will give him a regualar place on the bench.
Wenger has recently said that he might only sign one player in the summer… do you think that is because of the likes of Merida and Barazite will be ready for some first team football??