Midfielder Oğuzhan Özyakup has collected the Lamb Awards sponsored Young Guns Player Of The Month crown for March 2009, after playing an integral part for both club and country.
The summer signing from AZ Alkmaar began the month with the Dutch Under 17’s, as the skipper was part of a training session held by coach Albert Stuivenberg in preparation for the forthcoming UEFA European Elite League qualifying campaign.
He subsequently missed out on featuring during the F.A Youth Cup win over Tottenham, and the Under 18’s 4-3 victory at London rivals Chelsea.
However, Oğuzhan did start the very next game, as the Gunners made the short trip to take on Fulham at Motspur Park. The Dutchman was spot on from 12 yards after 19 minutes – adding to Luke Freeman’s opener. He bagged his second of the fixture in the second half – Arsenal ran out 5-1 winners.
After doubling his goal tally for the Gunners this season in one game, Özyakup was on a plane back to his home land to perform for his country’s Under 17’s.
The prospect played the full 90 minutes of a 1-0 win against Azerbaijan, he then walked away with an assist during the 4-0 crushing of Luxembourg. Ozzie wrapped up the campaign by converting yet another penalty during the final group game – a 3-0 win over Croatia to seal a place in the finals.
So all in all, four games, three goals and one assist. Quite a month for the 16-year-old.
Article By – J.Sanderson
Good week for him, and clearly a decent prospect for the future. Hope he continues to develop well.
what kind of a player is this guy??
Nice article, happy for him, does he look like a future Arsenal star?
J, how do you rate him?
Jay, have you seen much of him in the flesh? Do you thinks he’s a chance?
Gonna be very interesting to see how he gets on at Arsenal. I don’t remember Wenger getting a dutch kid as young before, I think he was 15 when he signed???, so be interesting to see how far he can develop him. Wenger is a fervent believer in “total football” something thats ingrained in dutch youth football so it appears a match made in heaven.
I really do wonder where they’ll all fit in some times. . . Although its the type of headache you’ll take all day every day!!
Hi J – any news with Conor Henderson, he looked a real prospect before his injury… Is he back for any reserves / u18 action this season ?
grat! i just saw him once in march but heard Ozzie played fantastic! he will be the star in the future
Yes really looking forward to seeing more of ‘Ozzie’. As far as i know the guy is 100% Turkish, but born or raised from a young age in Holland thus why he chose to represent the Dutch.
I know alot of Turkish Arsenal fans are really keeping an eye on his progress.
He is a central midfielder who likes to get on the ball and pass. He’s maybe not the quickest, but he’s got a good solid engine.
From what i heard, he is the new “fabregas” in the making. Hope he is that good.
I’ve been watching the youth games online recently and he has excelled.
In his first couple of matches he was off the pace a bit but now he’s dominating midfields with his passing range and quickness of thought. Steve bould has singled him out for praise a few times now.
As J says he’s not that quick but from what I’ve seen recently he has gained a bit of speed.
All in all he’s looking a good aquisition.
Fvck man…if he makes it to the first team in Arsenal…then I can honestly say that there has never been a player that has such a difficult name to say.
I will learn it though. Wish someone can reply back and spell his name like the way it should be pronounced.
Ozzie is a friend of mine from Holland he was a very good player we played a lot of matches with him and he was always very good. So I wish he would be play for the first team in future..
GO OZZIE GO!
This guy is d….n Good!! He is a super team player. X
This guy is d….n Good!! He is a super team player. X
congratulations Ozzie
love for Turkey
http://anadoludanfutbol.blogspot.com/2009/05/oguzhan-ozyakup-u-17-milli-takmmz-ykt.html