Martin Angha has flown into London this week to begin his career with Arsenal. The Swiss centre back signed for the Gunners in the summer from FC Zürich but due to Premier Academy League rules he couldn’t feature for the Under 18’s until he turns 16 on Friday.
Angha joins fellow Swiss centre-back Sead Hajrovic who also signed in the summer but from Grasshoppers. He was present for last night’s FA Youth Cup defeat against Ipswich Town as he makes the final checks on his new digs and school before celebrating his birthday and being available for selection for the remainder of the Academy League campaign.
The prospect grew up supporting Arsenal in his native Switzerland and remained a life long Gooner despite joining FC Zürich as a 9-year-old. He rose through the ranks earning the captaincy at various youth levels but his big break came last season. He impressed during a trial with the club in 2007 but as captain of the Zürich side which beat FC Luzern in the Nike Cup final, many Premier League scouts moved to bring the defender to England. He rebuffed all offers to play against Arsenal in a trial game, where he scored a stunning free-kick but chose not to celebrate in respect for his dream side.
Angha signed and made his debut at the Emirates Stadium against Chelsea’s Under 16’s in a 4-1 win. He watched on from the stands as the first-team beat Stoke City the next day and the deal was sealed after he was given a signed Johan Djourou shirt. The 6 foot 2 inch cultured centre half towers over many forwards and that combined with his excellent technical and goal scoring abilities, add up to an awesome prospect for the future.
You can read more about Martin in his Young Guns Player Profile.
Article By – J.Sanderson
What a mark of respect?! HE doesn’t even celebrate when he scores against us.
this is great news
and and as bould said he won’t be judged by trophys but by the players that make pro careers at arsenal and other clubs
and as roy keane says you learn more from a defeat than you do from victory
GO ARSENAL YEA HA
Hope they checked his age
A gunner 4 life !!!! :-)
hey J when is barazite expected to make a return? havnt seen or heard anything about the young lad in months.
rick, check about 5 articles down j did one specifically on barazite
Barazite should be back anytime soon now according to the prognosis of the injury he sustained.
You cant help but instantly respecting him due to that gesture.
Apparently he’s really 28.
Dave said this on January 20, 2010 at 11:16 am
Dave, All foreign players have done this so he must be age-cheat as well. He probably had his age changed by the swiss FA. Eboue must be 40, Song 30 etc etc etc…..
What a p****k go and get a life.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Arsenal-star-caught-up-in-passport-hoax-article293447.html
Hey I’m from Switzerland, and I played against him in a international tournament. He was just terrific so he should be a star in the making.
Did I read that right?!? 6′ 2″ and he is about to turn 16?!?
I have become a fan of this kid even though I know nothing about him
The respect he shows for the club is unbelievable
If he makes it into the first team then I am sure he will be an Arsenal Legend.
it will be interesting to see his progress in the future
apparently sky are saying we’ve made a bid for the fulham defender smalling, any inside info on him J?
Any idea which of himself and Hajrovic are supposed to be the best prospect according to reputation in Switzerland? Any Swiss gooners able to comment?
The real Swiss Tony? ;)
I’ve been living in Switzerland for the past year Jimmy. I never really heard about Hajrovic that much, only during the U17 world cup. I heard quite a bit of Angha though, as I live in Zurich, never sene him play 1 minute, but from what I hear people tell me when I ask about him, it looks like he will be a very exciting prospect. They say he’s very athletic and technically sound on the ball. Hopefully he can develop into an Arsenal legend in the years to come.
Sounds good, although he needs to bulk up a little to complement his giant frame, without losing his blistering pace (during training sessions at the end of last season, he beat Gael Clichy a couple of times in sprint races).
he bit clichy in sprint race….. and he is a CB!!!…ok that’s HE IS A LEGEND IN THE MAKING
I’m really feeling this kid. The mark of respect earns him full respect from me. Welcome Angha
i seen him at the game last night, was wonderinhg who he wasonly just clicked when i saw pic. He looks old and big for 16
I just love being a GUNNER!! Who would not sign for a club when you are treated like a first class citizen and an integral part of the future of the club. A Dhourou shirt signed the deal.
Good job AW and welcome to Arsenal Angha
Jaysis, so he’s a BIG (literally, looks like he’ll grow into a monster) gooner, and is as quick as clichy? AS QUICK AS CLICHY? Are you kidding me? Thats SERIOUS pace, but then again look at Richard Dunne, turning circle of a tugboat but apparently very very quick in a straight line.. Christ, I hope he can actually play!
The Centre back issue:
I think that Wenger wants to keep Gallas for another 2 seasons, by the 2nd season he might want Djourou to take his place.
then another signing such as Smalling from FUlham and Hardveidt Nordveit will be able back ups.
Obviously Senderos, Campball and Silvestre wont be at the club in 2 seasons time, which will allow some of the other yougsters from the youth system to push for first team.
this kid won’t be a cb for long. Have you seen his technical skills on the ball?? Last year i saw a youtube vid with him ball juggling and doing some ronaldo/ronaldinho tricks. I think he’ll be converted to a midfielder
up gunners
Izzo I was thinking the same thing myself!! I saw the videos you did and i think that he could be converted into a central midfielder or even a winger if he has the pace that has been described. I am probably totally off, but now that you spoke up, I have a sort of ally hahaha. He’ll be awesome wherever he plays!!
I think I saw those vids, wasn’t too impressed, seen better. Saw one of Barazite a while ago, much more impressive.
Izzo, thatll be good,
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Which one is his real height J? In this article u said he is 6 ft 2 tall, but according to his profile his height is 185 cm..
ok lets clear the air ,, martin is the right age ,, also as you know we do grow a little sometimes,,,, so when he came over he was 6ft ish he is now 6,2′ , this is a fact as i stood next to him at the bolton game , why cant we just accept that sometimes we do find talent from abroad and because its arsenal , we do it early and quick ,,, stop knocking the youth system and those those that work hard behind the scenes ,, jelous people is what i hear,