After marking his home debut for Steve Bould’s Under 18’s with a goal against Fulham, young striker Nigel Nieta has gone from a relative unknown, to one of the most talked about players in the Academy. Yet he majority of fans have little or no information about him. Therefore, Young Guns aims to shed some light with a Player Profile.
Nigel, who is of Jamaican descent, only joined the Gunners recently after spells with Millwall and Manchester United. He made his name mainly on the wing for the Lions, before spending a short and varied spell with United. Neita is a leggy and powerful forward who can operate on either flank or as a striker. He’s expected to claim international recognition in the coming months after finally finding his feet in North London following a difficult few months.
He is eligible for to represent either Jamaica and England.
Both Manchester United and Chelsea trailed the starlet after he impressed playing for Millwall. The former eventually won the battle for his signature, but he didn’t last long in the North. After failing to settle, he quit the Red Devils and was quickly snapped up by Arsenal. Two goals in as many games for the Under 16’s soon saw the 15-year-old propelled through the ranks.
Neita’s big break came two weeks ago, when Liam Brady took charge for the Under 18’s clash with Chelsea at Cobham, and handed the quick-silver starlet a place among the substitutes. He replaced Rhys Murphy late on, and clipped an injury time header inches wide. Steve Bould was obviously impressed – a second start from the bench followed last weekend – and after replacing BenikAfobe in the 50th minute, it wasn’t long before Nigel was in the goals.
He added the icing to the proverbial cake just before the full time whistle, slamming home his first Academy League goal of the campaign.
Neita should go on and sign scholarship terms in the summer, now he finally looks like he’s settled down and enjoying his football again.
Article By – J.Sanderson
Sounds great, the only thing I am concerned about is the fact that ‘he didn’t last long in the north’, and ‘failed to settle’ with Man Utd. Was he simply released for not being good enough? I doubt Nigel would pass up a chance to play for Man Utd at the tender age of 15 simply due to not settling. If he’s not good enough for Man USA, why should he be good enough for the supper gunners?
super*
good work again J
I thought your not allowed to buy youngster outside a certain area?
come play for jamaica not england dont follow john barnes do our country a favor
Because Man Utd are better than us, and anyway, that doesn’t mean anything.
Thierry Henry was deemed not good enough by Man Utd when he was a youngster, he went to become one of the greatest strikers of his generation..
There are ways around it Phillip, especially if the players family are happy to move with the player.
Do you think he will play in the FA Youth Cup?
Athletico deemed Raul surplus to requirements at 15. Just sayin’
Yea, there are many examples of young players who were judged not good enough in their early teens, Ashley Cole wasn’t highly thought of and Stevie G didn’t make it into some football camp when he was 14. Actually, Michael Jordan didn’t make his High School varsity team to begin with, but that’s another story.
How old is this guy anyway? I heard he just turned 14 but now you are saying he is 15 and will be signing a scholarship which I thought players didn’t do until they turned 16. So do you know if he is born in 93, 94 or 95?
Looks like a very good prospect and I hope he does well. I also hope he chooses England. I don’t care for the three lions, it’s just better to have European players. No long traveling (like Vela) and no ACN (in Boateng’s case).
Fa Youth cup preview J? Any idea where the game is shown?
any link for live FA youth cup streaming…
Nigel Neita is 15 and was born in 93. So he would be playing for U15. Great Young Player.
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I heard Rooney was turned down by Liverpool after a trial with them, and Veloso was snubbed by Benfica before joining Sporting, Maradona was judged to be too big a risk and not tall enough by Utd before joining Napoli. It doesnt always work out that way of course and if he didnt settle at Utd the question of why still remains, he could be a good footballer but a complete dick.
nigel neita is the best 15 year old footballer in england right now nobody is touching him…his footballing ability is sky high
really????!!!!
nigel was not released by manchester utd they knew he was an excellent player he just had some differences with the staff and whilst he was at man utd he had spells with the gunners anyway but was signed for millwall but arsenal had paid compensation to millwall for he because they knew that hes talent was simply amazing
nigel neita and zak ansah together is a deadly force im telling you.
played against this kid when he was at kelsey park school he is big and strong and can hit a football