Jack Wilshere‘s promotion to the first team has captured the imagination of Arsenal fans world wide, but more importantly, his rise has restored the faith in the much talked about Youth system.
The media and fans have all spoken about the lack of English talents at Arsenal, and you can’t help but feel the constant negative comments have affected the stars of tomorrow. However, Wilshere’s emergence has not only restored the confidence of the coaching staff, but the players who have grown up around Jack are not just feeling the positive vibes, but are now even more determined to reach the Gunners first team.
Ghanaian midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong is another prospect regarded very highly by both club and country, and the 16-year-old told Arsenal’s official website last week that Wilshere’s rise has had a positive effect on him, and also the players he leads as Under 16 captain.
“We are all encouraged by what Jack has done and he has inspired us all. We know that if we have the talent and apply it we will have a chance to make the most of it, and that is what I am driven to do.”
The current crop of Under 18 starlets promises to be the most fruitful to date, and with Steve Bould’s side now one of the most feared in the country, the development level has come on leaps and bounds in recent years. The levels of scholars going on to claim professional contracts has shot up in the past 3 campaigns, with last year seeing every single scholar penning pro terms.
The Academy has also helped establish the Arsenal brand all over the world. The Champions Youth Cup in 2007 firmly put the Gunners on the map in Malaysia. Success in the Atalanta Cup and Zinédine Zidane Tournament not only once more broke new ground for English teams, but helped market the club in already strong football areas of Italy and France.
Some of the best products in football can be find inside the Hale End system, and while it’s true many of them will not make the grade here, positivity around there rise can only help drive their talents and subsequently provide excellent options for club and country.
Article By – J.Sanderson
he is really top class..
it jst shows that we are doing a gd thing with the youth development. Wenger has proved that if you are good enuff, then you would make it at Arsenal
I thought Frimpong was born in Ghana but represents England? at youth level anyway!
I’ve only seen glimpses of Wilshere, but from what I see, he is already quality. Quick question though, where specifically does he play in the midfield? I’ve heard everything from wide player to holding midfield and I’m hoping someone can clear this up.
I read an article on the net yesterday going on about Citeh and that their new-found wealth is going to destroy their brilliant youth academy and that it will mean the death of the England national side as players such as Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge will be held back. Then it said something like, “Who will produce excellent young English talent now? Certainly not Arsenal”. I just smiled to myself and felt sorry for the fool(s) who wrote it and others who have no idea whatsoever about what we are doing here.
J – Do you have any idea why Jack isn’t in the England u19’s squad for tonights game against Holland u19’s?
I think wilshere would be comfortable in all attacking areas. I think he’s probably best a just being able to roam free and cause damag across the whole pitch. he certainly has a lot of class. Having seen him at the emirates cup against 2 of the best teams in the world i think i can say he has world class potential. f he has the same improvement as fabregas did from when he was 16 then he could be the english answer to Messi. (not to put any pressure on or anything)
He currently looks at his most effective from the right flank but ultimately he could be at his best when postiioned centrally
I won’t hold my breath waiting for the Media to acknowledge our academy. I think you will find that they will be the first to jump on any set back may have. Just look at their behaviour with Theo, granted he played a good first 20 min and they already bigging him up as the saviour of englands right midfield, but they will be the first to lambast him and Capello should he fail.
Thank god for honest blogs like yours JS
just like AW said, “If you’re good enough, you’re old enough”. Wilshere is top class..
It is indeed very very reassuring to see that Jack is inspiring some of his peers in the youth system. Often unfair criticism is directed at Arsenal because of the lack of “English players” and when (not if) breaks the first team and establishes himself, the critics will finally have nothing left to say.
Age is only a temporary deterant when you are young and that may just mean inconsistency or lack of stamina but if these kids keep a level head and conduct themselves professionally on and off the field, they have the whole world in front of them for their taking.
wtf is going on wid appiah…he cant be choosing west ham over arsenal…
wikipedia
Stephen Appiah (born December 24, 1980) is a Ghanaian International football midfielder and the captain of the Ghana national team who is currently a free agent after being released by turkish side Fenerbahçe.
With the Ghana national team, he has played at the 1995 FIFA U-17 World Championship, the 1997 and 1999 World Youth Championships, the 2004 Olympic tournament, and the 2006 World Cup, where the team reached the second round.
Appiah is said to be at West Ham United for a medical on 9th September 2008 13:00
ohh well, he cant be that good if hes realesed by fernerbache lool
WHAT MAKES U SO SURE MANY OF DEM WONT MAKE DE GRADE ERE J??????
hey J i always wonder what sort of player wilshire is ?
as in to whom can we compare him to on terms of game play , flair n all dat.
yes he is a class lad from what i see on you tube videos but me being in India its not possible 2 see him live:)
TOPGUNNA – Do the maths, how can so many players fit into the squad? not all of them are that good to even get near the team.
I compare him to a David Silva type.
FAO Sven – Yeah I was concerned about Pongo being called Ghanaian. He’s English now, and hopefully stays that way.
wilshire gonna be a great future star…
JAY THOMAS wont make it will he, i mean he strong and powerful, but he just lacks concentration and players could run rings around him befor he even notices that they have GOT the bal.
Disagree about Jay Thomas,A class act who will make it big in the top flight,Twice the player of the nonsense and overrated radall
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