It’s finally here. Welcome to Young Guns’ inaugural Blogger Idol Final. Below is one of three articles from the finalists Ben Jones, Nick Love and Nick Doherty. Read them all carefully and remember to check the criteria we asked for Here. When completed, visit the Blogger Idol section of the blog and vote for your winner. It couldn’t be simpler.
You have until midnight on Friday the 31st of July to get your votes before the poll will be closed. You may only vote once.
Arsenal kicked off their short European tour on Tuesday, but faced a major dent in their preparation as the gifted Samir Nasri fractured his right fibula during training. Wenger was quick to play down the injury stating ‘It’s not a complicated one, it’s a simple one but it will take six weeks to heal’. Nonetheless, Wenger more than anyone knows the harm in rushing a player back from injury combined with the lack of pre season it looks certain that Samir will miss the opening fixtures of Arsenal’s campaign. However, ‘One man’s loss is another man’s gain’, and Nasri’s unfortunate situation will give an opportunity for another Gunner to gain a starting berth on the left side of midfield. This begs the question; who?
Andrei Arshavin has openly stated his preference to play off the main striker, Abou Diaby has never looked comfortable out wide, Wenger is yet to decide the future of Armand Traore, Vela is developing well as a striker and it will be a tall order for Tomas Rosicky to play consistently in his first few months back from an 18 month layoff. Step forward Jack Wilshere and Fran Merida, two exceptional, young players who have been flirting with the first team over the past year. With outstanding technical flair, goal scoring ability and most significantly, both have a natural left foot. The injury to Nasri has created a small, but realistic opportunity for the two young, ambitious playmakers to compete for their first competitive, senior start in the Premier League.
Fran Merida always seemed destined for Arsenal’s first team since his arrival from Barcelona in 2006. He swiftly developed through the youth and reserves before being sent out on loan to gain valuable experience. Fran attracted many fans along the way, most notably Wenger himself labelling him ‘an absolutely amazing talent’. Few players receive such privileged praise from the manager and a Premier League start looked inevitable in the not too distant future. However, unknown to the Arsenal faithful, whilst Fran was in Sociedad being groomed for the Arsenal first team an emerging gem was being nurtured in the shape of Jack Wilshere.
Jack and Fran are similar in ability and potential; both named in UEFA’s top ten rising stars, similar playing styles, confident performances in the Carling Cup and impressive cameo appearances in the Premier League. Despite their similarities, each player has their own claim for a first team start.
Fran is nearly two years older than Jack and gained valuable first team experience in the competitive Segunda División, helping Sociedad secure fourth spot. Fran was able to experience the rigours of first team football, the highs and lows, the dips in form and expectations of the fans. “Playing professionally is a new situation, one where you play in front of 25,000 people, one with pressure from press and fans every single week” Fran declared. This experience will certainly hold Fran in good stead for the demands of Premiership football, combined with his obvious ‘talent’, Fran may have out grown his stay in reserve team football.
Fran has thrived in the Spanish national team at U17 and U19 level, and is currently in Ukraine at the UEFA U19 Championships, perhaps a fundamental flaw in his progression with Arsenal. Despite his commendable dedication to the national side, for two seasons he has missed out on vital pre season training and possible first team action. Meanwhile Jack continues to rack up minutes in pre season and establish his name firmly in Wenger’s mind.
Jack’s breakthrough came with a stunning performance against West Ham for the reserves and a gleaming Arsene Wenger watched on as the 16 year old scored with an audacious effort. Consistently improving at a hasty rate Jack has been given the number 19 shirt for the forthcoming season. He has impressed so much so that Arsene Wenger has already recommended that Jack has the potential to reach the 2010 World Cup.
With the impending 6+5 rule, Arsenal may be more obliged to blood a young, talented Englishman plus the obvious positive ramifications with the Arsenal fans; a local lad lining up regularly on a Saturday. Wenger has hinted that Jack’s development will be similar to Theo Walcott, who when questioned about Jack added “He makes it look so easy when he plays and every time he gets the ball and does something he brings a smile to your face”, and like Walcott and Ramsey it will be unlikely that Jack goes out on loan, instead slowly developing in the first team. If this is the case it may be that Fran will have to head out on loan once again, preferably in the Premiership. However, Wenger is very wary of the physical demands of the Premiership and the affects it may have on Jack.
Although there may be alternatives to Jack Wilshere and Fran Merida on the left side of midfield, it is undeniable that both players have genuine ability to knock extremely hard on the first team’s door. With little to choose between the two youngsters it is possible that in the future they may play in the same team, but for the time being both are competing for a first team place. Jack’s performances over pre season may place him in pole position despite Fran’s experience abroad. Either way Wenger likes to throw his young protégés in at the deep end and it will be interesting who he will ask to swim first, Fran or Jack.
Article By – Nick Love
Very good read on an interesting subject, I think JW19 will get 10-15 games this season, and by next season he will be a regular. That kid is pure magic, he could be as good as AA23. Jack is better than Merida when playing wide, I see Fran as a CM in a Cesc role, so maybe he could deputise for FF4 in some matches, although he would be competing with Diaby, Ramsey, etc.
Fran should be promoted to first team. 19 years old is old enough, when Pele played for Brazil, he was only 17 years old.
given the hard start to the season with 2 away games in manchester and at everton team selection will be crucial as 3 defeats in 6 matches will virtually end title hopes. The most important element missing is a defensive midfielder. Arsene may need to buy as there is no ready solution in the squad.
Well written, flows beautifully, relevant and has now got me pondering over the problem faced by Wenger…
I really enjoy, deep. thought provoking. wet my whistle for finding out what wenger will do
Superb writing skills, some great adjectives. Good tempo, some great facts and well concluded.
Merida never impresses when promoted to the first team, even in the carling cup he was anonymous. He needs to start to stand out now if he is going to make it.
Very well written and is bound to spark debate which is one of the things a good blogpost should do. I like your arguement and references. Got my vote.
Excellent read, Shearer Class!
My opinion on this one would be Wilshere. I think he’s rated higher and can provide a bigger impact in small doses, which is what Wenger will be wanting.
All the articles are good but this one is going to get my vote. Very well written, good flow and as others have commented already the article contains good arguments on both sides which will spark debate. The choice of subject is also very well thought out; this is a real prospect for the coming season and one that arsenal fans enjoy and are interested in discussing. Good work Nick.
a good debate based blog and written far better than the other two articles! although i still think that j.w will be the fans and the managers choice!
Very well written, I however believe that Wenger will work with a more experienced asset in Diaby, Rosicky, or even Arshavin. If AW were to look for a younggun it would definately be Wilshere. As for Merida I think he will experience minimal premiership berth along with Nacer Barazite. Just my thoughts.
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All the articles are good but this one is going to get my vote. Very well written, good flow and as others have commented already the article contains good arguments on both sides which will spark debate. The choice of subject is also very well thought out; this is a real prospect for the coming season and one that arsenal fans enjoy and are interested in discussing. Good work Nick.
Goonerinho said this on July 28, 2009 at 1:48 pm
^^^^this guy sums it up perfectly. you’ve got my vote.
Personally, I’d like to see us try Merida in smaller Premiership games from now on while Rosicky (and Nasri when he’s back) for the big games. I think it’s time for him to step up. He’s got immense technical ability and just needs more first team experience, as he’s had enough time to bulk up.
Jack’s still young and should be used fleetingly, as a third choice to Arshavin or Theo on the right, imo. He’s obviously brimming with talent but no need to rush him out just because the fans will like him. Hopefully Wenger has analysised (sp?) the mistakes made in Mickey Owen’s career and Theo’s injury plagued time with us so far and noticing that fast and small attacking wonderkids with England’s hopes on their shoulders need to be treated very carefully, and not just thrown into the deep end for constant first team football.
This is the best article. Brilliant choice of topic and executed well. I think that Merida should be promoted to the first team but I agree with xmorph that Fran is best suited centrally as he doesn’t have the dribbling ability and speed of Wilshire, whilst he has the extreme vision of Cesc Fabregas.
yeh
Best article by a country mile. Well done.
Haha Chipo aka Nick Love or friend of Nick Love. Try and play it down a little next time. Your comments on the other two pages were pathetic really.
Anyway this is a decent effort. Well written, interesting but you played it very safe, which is understandable but in doing so you didn’t hit the criteria for me. There wasn’t any news in the article imo.
“We’re looking for some news which either has had little coverage, or even better, an exclusive. This will be a real test of their ability to sniff out news, their contacts and what they can bring to the team.”
Good luck pal.
Good article, you’ve managed to get down on paper (well you know what I mean) a topic that is playing on the minds of many anxious Gooners… (for the record, I hope to see a bit of Wilshere, the lad is class)
Only thing I would pick you up on is the title, could be a bit more creative & draw the readers in, but thats splitting hairs.
A friend once told me that his hair fell out whilst waiting for the results of a competition like this, lets hope you don’t suffer the same fate!
Bit insulting Derik, as I wouldn’t be sad enough to write comments on my own piece of work. Neither would I ask friends of mine to write such blatant compliments, Id ask them to tone it down a bit like you said. ;) Its interesting you bring this up though as the same could be said for yourself.
I personally think it is news which has had little coverage, I haven’t read anywhere about the potential of Fran Merida and Jack Wilshere breaking in to the first team at the beginning of the season. And I thought it would be an interesting article. I respect your opinion though.
Everyone else, thank you very much for voting for me.
xmorph and tony, I agree that in the future it is likely that Fran will play in his natural position; central midfield. However, I think, in the up and coming season if he was to get the odd game/substitute appearance Wenger will most likely use him out wide.
Apologies if that’s the case Nick. No your piece was defiantly interesting Nick and very well written.
I’d be happy for you to win, perhaps I was being over the top by reading into the criteria to much.
You obviously have some skills my friend.
Thanks Derik. In all honesty it annoys me more if people do write stupid comments on mine and others blogs. It undermines what being a blogger is about. Thank you for your feedback. And I hope that people will refrain from puttin disrespectful comments up in the future
Good effort that provides insight into Merida and Wilshere’s respective qualities and backgrounds, as well as a speculative look at their opportunities this coming season.
I would have liked a little more opinion and passion about the subject matter but that’s a minor quibble.
Nice work and good luck.
Nick Love should be working as a major football reporter – he is so on the ball. Great article!
Merida and Barazite are not in training Camp in Austria. Wilshere is there. simple answer to your question I guess Wenger estimates that Wilshere is more likely to play first team
Cyril… Frans been away with the national team during pre season in the UEFA u19 Championships, so was unable to be at the training camp in Austria. I mentioned this in my article mate.
Nice.
whats up:) i have been following the website several times; Decided to articulate how good this place is!