Forward Zak Ansah has collected the Lamb Awards sponsored Young Guns Player Of The Month crown for April 2009, after comfortably making the step up to Under 18’s football and for bagging a classy brace on his first start.
The 14-year-old was playing for the Under 15’s at the start of the season, but will finish this break through campaign as a reliable option for Steve Bould’s Under 18’s as they retained the Group A League title.
Zak – the son of much travelled former Southend midfielder Andy Ansah – celebrates his 15th birthday on Monday, and he’ll no doubt look back on the last 12 months with pride after earning himself the guarantee of a scholarship deal in another years time. Boasting pace, power, agility and a knack for being in the ‘right place at the right time’ the young poacher is immensely talented.
The month began a little slow for Zak, but it quickly picked up pace. After playing a part in the Under 16 side which faltered in the Nike Cup, the striker made the bench for the Academy fixture with Crystal Palace. The Gunners romped home with Ansah playing the final 15 minutes – and impressing.
Seven days later Bould handed him his first start in an extremely youthful XI. Two goals in five minutes from the quick-silver forward on the hour mark secured the win either side of Chuks Aneke and Benik Afobe efforts. It was an emphatic way to mark your first start.
Zak then flew off to Italy for the Atalanta Cup, but after elimination at the hands of Inter Milan, the month came to an end on a sour note. But the signs are certainly there that he has a rather bright future, and you’re certain to be hearing a lot more about this youngster in the coming months.
Article By – J.Sanderson
Hey fella
Off topic, but have you any idea how Henri lansbury is and what kinda time he’ll be out for?
Ta
He actually came to the Hospital where I work, and he’s not broken anything, but his season is over. Thats alll i know mate.
J great to have u back any news on conor henderson and rhys murphy? Also is Luke Ayling getting a contract?
Wow, U-18 debut when he was 14, that’s impressive, and to get two goals as well (though I’ve heard that Jay Simpson made his U-18 debut when he was 13 so I’m not getting too carried away).
J, how’s Nico Yennaris’s progress going? After his injury how is he doing and will he get a contract?
this kid seems fairly good. he has received a bit too much attention. if the hype quietens down then he could work hard and really develop but it looks good for now. just like benik afobe
Johnny: I don’t understand that comment. Hype is what happened when Macheda scored against Villa, not YG and Jeorge Bird mentioning a youngster.
Apparently henderson played against cardiff city. I was watching highlights of youth games gotta to say afobe looks special hes like eto and i like the look of miguel seems a tall composed centre half. The dutch kid looks differenc class as well he plays like steven gerrard.
wot do people think will happen to Amaury Bischoff next season coz I heard he is out of contract in the summer? Also, is the general consensus that Mark Randall will be leaving soon?
I’d say that both will leave. Bischoff hasn’t done enough, and Randall just isn’t as good as our other young midfielders.
Thanks Mr S!
Randall, Bischoff and Van den berg who is on loan currently will leave this summer..
Hope to see Nacer Barazite getting some 1st team action next season..
randall,bischoff and landsbury should all leave in the summer as they cannot make the grade
lansubury wont leave hes too good
ye lansbury could make it
Why on earth would we play barazite in the 1st team
Barazite has not been playin well for derby. Hes been very inconsitent and not really effective when he plays on the wing. I think he lacks the pace to play there. But hes 18 got plenty of time.
Henri Lansbury is the player who could break into our first team. Hes a sensational player him and ramsey would be a great partnership
Barazite was winner of the Young Guns player of the year last year, he has been very good if a little inconsistent, he is 18, he is going to be great.
off topic j bt couuld u tell me if there is any news on da arsenal cup in america i havent heard anything bout it thanks
off topic j bt couuld u tell me if there is any news on da arsenal cup in america i havent heard anything bout it thanks
With regards to Zack Ansah, is he quite a physical player? Is his generation coming through going to be more physical than ball playing?
I don’t really know much about these players and it would be interesting to know about the likes of Rees, Brislen-Hall, Meade, Byles etc.
Just would good to have a little more information on these players coming through, i.e. are as gifted and technically good as the previous years?
PS: It’s good to know your back J and YG is still alive.
Randall is going nowhere, he still physically underdevelop thats why he hasnt made even more 1st team starts/appearances even though technical wise he is ready. Also others that you guys consider ahead him havent done anything worthwhile for Wenger to start them ahead of Randall.
According to my mate who supports and goes to derby, they don’t like barazite and think he is crap
18 year olds are normally not ready to play for one of the best teams in the world. The average age at Arsenal will rise in the years to come, so it will be even harder to break into the first team. Like with Gibbs, it´s often about taking your chances when others get injured. And there are fewer left backs than central midfielders. My guess is that most of the younger players will have to prove themselves out on loan.
Hi, interesting post. I have been thinking about this issue,so thanks for writing. I’ll certainly be coming back to your posts.
I remeber hearing wenger saying players will break through at 20/21 so the likes of randall still have a chance of making it. problem is we got some many good young talented players in the same position CM
he will hav to change position then, possibly RM when walcott moves up front
Henri Lansbury injury permitting will make it here because technically is good enough, were as Mark Randell is a slow burner as a football player and will get better as he gets older also him playing on the wings instead of in the middle does not help him that much, as for Nacer Barazite i personally have never been that impressed with him so i expect him to be sold to another football club sooner or later IMO.
@ Kent Paul, technical area [ball manipulative skills] is actually where Lansbury needs to improve bcuz physically he is just like Gerrard [pace, strong, ball striking & height], plus improving his football intelligence then he might become the player that everyone is hyping him up to be.
Also Cesc and Xavi arent quick or strong as well but they have the ball manipulative skills, intelligence, vision and 1st touch to destroy the opposition. As for the RM issue, Arsenal plays CM on wings to get them use to playing within small space bcuz our CM get pressured alot tus they have less space to play with.
I remeber hearing wenger saying players will break through at 20/21 so the likes of randall still have a chance of making it. problem is we got some many good young talented players in the same position CM
FUCK ME,so i gotta wait another 10 yrs.
SuperGunner07 is right. Having technical ability is not the be it end all for Lansbury. I was watching the Chelsea v Arsenal reserve game and although we had many technically gifted players, only Merida was the best at keeping the ball. He could pass but his first touch always got the ball away from the marker, shielded the ball like Fab, iniesta and xavi and looked to offer once he made the pass.
JET, etc. were to quick and direct and almost exclusively looked for the give and go. Wilshere is on another level however.
Then it’s the decision making that needs work on. When to make the “Hollywood” pass or a simple square ball.
Henri Lansbury was technically brilliant his only problem was he was not physically developed. Now he his after a loan spell in league 1 which will toughen him up.
The problem with arsenal youth they play people out of position. Ie Lansbury on the right wing when hes a CM. Jay thomas at LW when hes a CM. Wilshere and merida on the wings when they are both central players. Wr got too many CM
Friampong, coquelin, thomas, henderson, randall, lansbury, ramsey, denilson, diaby, cesc, song, nasri
They are all young CM and i cant see young arsenal players getting a chance in CM cause the likes of diaby, cesc, song, denilson, ramsey will cement a CM place
isn’t wilshere a winger?
Jack Wilshere played as a CM last season for the arsenal under 18 hes was scoring goals for fun and setting up goals. His best position is off the strikers or play him CM hes can be driving force in midfield
JS any news on Arsenal buying Adam lallana and Oliver lanchashire from southampton? I heard a rumour arsenal are trying to both of them. Also i cant see arsenal buying morgan schnderlin we got too many CM
lol, he will probably covert him into a new position!
convert*
disagree with you about JET, the brain. I actually think he is specially good at keeping the ball
Have we signed Wellington yet?
J
What do you think on the chances of us signing Sakho, Hazard and Diogo? I’ve done my research and would say it is definitely in our grasp to sign all of these, but maybe not all together. I think we would be complete if we signed them and maybe a cm like Cabaye, Melo, Toure and a few others from Ligue 1, however im not too sure if we need a CM due of the development of song and diaby as well as the youngsters in that position. Out would be Silvestre, Ade, Bishoff and Randall. Would you lot be pleased with that summer, i bloody would. Its not like we’ve not got the funds now eihter with the investment from Kroenke and Ade sale of about 20m. What you think?
ahhhhh people please stop mentioning wellington everyday..
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WHo is the young Gunner with the Mohican standing next to Arsene Wenger, as seen on Arsenal.com “Champion’s League Training”. Go to ArsenalTV online. – The Club – General,
Thanks
Kyle bartley a 6ft5 centre half, intresting he might be in the squad
sharpovic: I think he relies on his physical presence rather than actually looking to shield the ball away. He plays very open and when people come near feels his strength will compensate him.
Admittedly, iniesta, Xavi and cesc have lesser presence but the way they never give the defending a sniff of a chance to get the ball with their balance and everything sets them apart.
Thanks John. Good experience for Kyle!
Aaron ramsey to me like iniesta a bit but hes more defensive. Henri lansbury more like gerrard. I would love to see these two play together they could be the future arsenal midifeld
CARLOS VELA IS GONNA SCORE TONIGHT!!!
Hi, interesting post. I have been thinking about this issue,so thanks for sharing. I will probably be coming back to your site. Keep up great writing
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