Liam Brady and his Arsenal Academy coaching staff saw the fruits of their labour paraded earlier in the week as the club had their annual photo shoot for the latest batch of scholars.
The majority of the boys are quickly becoming regulars in Steve Bould’s Under 18’s, and you’re all but certain to see some of them in Neil Banfield’s Reserves next season. They will also lead the charge to retain the F.A Youth Cup. So who are the seven new boys?
Summer 2008 signings Oğuzhan Özyakup and Ignasi Miquel are two of the most well known and obvious names. Özyakup, who captains Holland’s Under 17’s, had a slow start to life with the Gunners but finished the campaign as a regular in the Under 18’s – where he scored four times. Miquel had an injury hit beginning to life in London, but quickly established himself as an important asset in the closing stages of the season. He then made two starts for the Reserves in the final two games of the year.
Whilst there is two foreign boys signed up, London lads Benik Afobe and Chuks Aneke even up the count. Afobe is regarded as one of the most promising strikers in England. Although he was a bit part player for Bould’s side, he still struck 12 goals including a Youth Cup effort. Aneke will no doubt be an outstanding and crucial player next term but he only made a handful of appearances at Academy level. That said – he did score once.
Imposing central defender Danny Boateng is one of the most exciting new boys. Capable of playing at left back or in midfield, Boateng is a technically gifted, quick-silver stopper with bags of power. He has chosen to represent Ghana ahead of England but Boateng is another London born starlet with a big future.
Two lesser known boys are Nico Yennaris and George Brislen-Hall. The former is a versatile and hard working defender who can play in midfield. The half Greek half Chinese youngster is a local lad who has spent a massive amount of time on the treatment table. Yet when fit his energy and no nonsense style can be very important assets. Nico is very much the gamble of the group.
Left back George Brislen-Hall, known simply as George Brisnal, is the seventh and final scholar. He’s an English, hard working and aggressive defender who can play as a wing-back. He may be small and very different to the usual Arsenal style left back, but he’ll no doubt have a point to prove next term.
These are the first batch of news boys – but more scholars could be confirmed in the coming days.
Article By – J.Sanderson
Benk Afobe baby, Benik Afobe.
I can’t wait to see Benik Afobe regularly. Ozyakup seems like a very creative midfielder and should be the team’s playmaker. Too bad for me, I haven’t seen much of the other boys but time will tell how good they will be. Keep the production running, Arsenal!
Gilles Sunu and Francis Coquelin playing for France against England Schoolboys today, its on Setanta.
Really excited abt these kids.hopefully we’l find some gems.
Thanks for this comprehensive report. I nkast season’s darker moments the youth set-up has given me great joy – attending matches in Barnet and reserves away at Chelsea.
Just as an aside – I look forward to Kyle Bartley breaking into the first team next year, starting with Carling Cup duties. I think he is a future Arsenal captain in the same mould as Tony Adams.
Keep up the good work
What is this? On the Player Profiles, these guys already have Scholarships… What is the difference… More to the point, can you explain this scholar contract, J?
Danny Boateng looks the real deal for me can’t wait to see him go. Great stuff for the club and I’m glad he’s chosen to play for Ghana cos that takes a lot of bottle. Respect n good on him
J do you know who else will be signed up for the coming season as 7 seems a bit short of numbers
Great site J, can you explain how system works from say 9 up to a first pro contract. Is ‘hatch end’ a pre arsenal academy or just a local team where we happen to scout alot of kids.
Is Gilles Sunu leaving or staying?
I think a Scholarship means that they’re now full-time at the club. On schoolboy forms you’re only part-time.
No more school for these guys. They dtill get tutored at the club though.
another football team, MU, goes to Indonesia, is it possible arsenal come to? i hope so..
How many of these young men actually get a chance to amke the big sqaud? Thanks for reading Bobby Gee http://bobbygee.wordpress.com/
Went to Wembley yesterday for the France U18 game vs England Schoolboys. As expected, it was an easy game for france. Both Coquelin and Sunu really were very impressive, especially Coquelin, who had obviously been asked by his manager to take up some of the playmaking duties while he was on. Even those around me who had no idea who they were specifically pointed them both out as the really impressive ones. Having said that, their opposition was well below par…
So, Wynter is the year below eh, Interesting, I can see him turning up for England u16s in October.
Guv what were the Frenchies doing playing against a bunch of English no-hoper schoolboys? Seems pointless.
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big up to boateng and the choices he’s made so far cos at his as it age it shows he’s a gutsy individual.good luck to him and the rest of the kids…
big up to boateng and the choices he’s made so far cos at his age it shows he’s a gutsy individual.good luck to him and the rest of the kids…
Brighton want to take Rhys Murphy & barltey on a season loan.What division are they in?and what sort of football do they play?
Funny that you lead on 2 new foreign boys that have been at the club for 5 minutes but the brits been with arsenal for 8 years
their leading players but you guys trumpet overseas players like thier all Messis. Sad but true.
are given 2nd billing. Sad but thought arsenal were a british club. No french club would highlight 2 brit boys as thei
c pissed I disagree with a lot you just said, but I shall only bother picking on one point – your last one. You are right, but I bet that if these boys were Brazilian or Spanish, the matter would be different. What does that say about foreign opinion of British players?
Guv – its not that they wouldnt mention brit players but they wouldnt give them more highlight especially if theyre new to club. And thats no reflection on Brit players more how foreign press operate. Miguel and Ozzy cost upwards of 1/4 million and a lot more Meade Brisnal Afobe Aneke and Boateng put toegther but the brits arguably better players.
Will we singn Luc Castaignos and Mesut Özil? I hope so.