Arsenal’s Under 18’s begin the defence of their Premier Academy League Trophy tomorrow with a mouth watering play off semi-final against Manchester United at their Carrington Training complex.
The Gunners are the winners of Group A while United won Group C. The victorious outfit will go on to face either Nottingham Forest or Leicester City in the final. Ahead of tomorrow’s big fixture, Young Guns caught up with “United Youth” editor Nick for a chat about all things youth between the two club’s.
You can catch Young Guns’ views on the encounter a little later over at United Youth.
Nick, Arsenal will face Manchester United in the Premier Academy League semi-finals – Your first impressions of the tie?
“It’s a really exciting one definitely. Just being in these playoffs is exciting in itself – the Youth Cup’s always the priority every year and the league games tend to see a lot of rotation and experiments, so to have still somehow won our group convincingly with a terrific run at the end of the season and to have this extra game and a chance to maybe play for another trophy is great and a real bonus.”
“Then you factor in the opposition and it’s even more captivating. The way youth football is you get used to playing the same teams over and over again – we’ve played Bolton six times across various levels this season, for example. Blackburn 5, Liverpool 5, Man City 5 and so on. I’m sure it’s the same for Arsenal in the south, and you see the same teams and the same sets of players so often you start to feel like you almost know each and every one of them personally – it all gets a bit stale and humdrum sometimes. So to play a team like Arsenal, who obviously have a big reputation as far as youth football is concerned (probably the biggest reputation along with United) and a lot of hype around them, and yet are basically an unknown quantity because we so rarely (if ever) play each other.”
“Overall it’s refreshing and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Manchester United’s youth system is probably the most recognised in England due to the David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes etc year, but how has the system been since then? and how does this current crop compare?
“That crop of players was a one-off, undoubtedly. I’m not sure any club will bring through so many kids from the same group at the same time who all go on to have such successful careers ever again, it was freakish really. That’s set an almost impossible standard for us to follow I guess – you hear a lot of people say the production line dried up after that but I think the vast majority of clubs would have been happy to bring through players like Wes Brown, John O’Shea and Darren Fletcher in the years after that, and Jonny Evans more recently, as well as lots of other guys who’ve gone on to have decent careers elsewhere.”
“As for the current crop, there’s a lot of excitement about them. It’s always hard to tell how things will pan out but certainly in my time watching the Under 18s, over the last 10-12 years or so, this is the most impressive group of players we’ve had at this level. The intake of first-years this season has been particularly impressive. With 15 new scholars – which is the most I can remember – and the majority of them local lads and lots of them really impressing already for club and country. For the first time I can remember it’s really hard to pick our strongest Under 18 XI when everyone’s fit. There’s lots of quality and strength in depth. That said, there has to be caution because it’s so much harder for top clubs to bring youngsters through now than it was back when the Beckham/Scholes crop emerged – the stakes are so high and patience is so low these days.”
What’s the impression of Arsenal’s setup and their way of developing players?
I think Arsenal maybe have impossible standards to live up to as well, in as much as the media (and maybe some of the more excitable fans) create a lot of hype about the club’s youth setup, resulting in unrealistic expectations and neutrals getting sick of hearing it. When you cut through all that, from an outsider’s perspective, you can’t really fault the way Arsène Wenger and his staff do things from a development point of view. More English youngsters than given credit for, the right way of playing drummed into kids from an early age, a progressive attitude with regards to youth coaching methods (sadly one of very few clubs you can say that about in this country) and obviously no hesitation giving kids chances if they’re deemed good enough. Can’t really comment at any great length about individuals in the Arsenal setup beyond those I see when following our kids on international duty (Afobe and Aneke with England etc) but clearly it seems like another strong crop.
Turning our attentions to the actual game, who’s the stars of this current crop and who will be influential during the fixture?
“Well first of all two of the stars who won’t be – French midfielder Paul Pogba, who’s suspended, and Italian attacking midfielder Davide Petrucci, who’s had a nightmare season with injury. They’d probably both start if available, but midfield’s probably our strongest area in terms of depth.”
“Can say with about 95% certainty that the lineup will be this (4-4-2): Devlin; Brown, Wootton, Thorpe, Fryers; Ajose, Tunnicliffe, Morrison, Brady; King, Keane.”
“The stars? Joshua King’s probably our best player when he’s on his game – he’s a striker from Norway. He’s lightning quick, powerful, decent in the air, technically very good and scores plenty of goals. He’s far too good for this level (he’s already made his debut for the first team) but is very injury prone so is being brought along gently. He has the odd game where he doesn’t look interested or nothing comes off for him, but more often than not defences just can’t cope with him. Alongside him should be Will Keane, who’s a very different type of forward – not too quick, quite slight of build but great class on the ball, can drop deep and link the play but is also lethal in the box. He’s top scorer with 13 goals from 21 games, has got a couple at reserve level too and was named Academy Player of the Year on Tuesday night.”
“The other player I’d single out is probably Ravel Morrison. I’d guess lots of your readers will have heard of him, both because he’s been really hyped by some English journos (think Henry Winter said he was a better prospect than Wilshere or Rodwell when he’d played about ten Under 18 games, ridiculous really) and because he’s been in the press for some off the field problems. In terms of pure ability, he’s probably the best to come through the academy since Paul Scholes and since he returned from a long injury layoff a month or so ago, he’s started to channel that ability the right way. He’s quick, skillful, scores goals from midfield, creative and is that nightmare prospect for defences – someone prepared to run with the ball from central midfield.”
“Elsewhere, Ajose’s quick, tricky and gets goals (crucial ones too) from the wing; Brady’s another goalscoring wide player but he’s only just back from injury so might not be too influential. Tunniclife’s a really good all-round box-to-box midfielder. The defence is pretty solid, Thorpe’s the best prospect but the older Wootton is the leader. That central pairing is maybe a little susceptible to pace. The two full-backs are quicker but don’t offer too much going forward. Devlin’s much improved in goal and has become a bit of a penalty-saving specialist this season, but his kicking can be a bit suspect.”
Finally, a prediction?
“It’s tricky to make any sort of informed prediction with Arsenal being such an unknown quantity to us, and vice versa I guess. From the two teams’ records and what I know of the Arsenal side, I can certainly see it being a close one (he says from atop the fence), wouldn’t surprise me at all if it ended up going to penalties. If someone’s going to win it in the 90, I’d hope that with home advantage and the attacking form we’ve been showing lately that we could maybe just sneak it, but I’d not be surprised if it went the other way (this fence is quite comfy really). One thing I will go out on a limb to say – there’ll be two teams going out there looking to play attractive, attacking football, a nice change from some of the negative tactics you see some teams adopt at Under 18 level, and hopefully that’ll mean we get an entertaining game like the Youth Cup semi a few years ago.”
Kick off is at 11am tomorrow morning. Manchester United’s official TV channel MUTV are broadcasting it live, and of course, Young Guns will have full coverage.
I think we will win the game with little worry but I really havent heard of Raven Morrison, Is he that good?
The problem is with United side is that they play when they are in the mood.
Yes when he is in the mood Ravel Morrison is that good and when he is like that he is probably the best young player in the country in his particular age group, as for saying we have little to worry about it, that is wrong to think that way, because we will have plenty to worry about if we do not start the game well.
Should be a good game regardless of the result, because there will be some genuine stars of the future on show this friday morning.
Does anyone know why we play a one-off game away? That seems a little unfair. I know it was the same last year and we came through it against a very good Man City side (who lost three times all season long – all against us) but does anyone know how this stuff is done?
Man U look very good from the couple of games I’ve seen of them. Morrison was pretty quiet in both of those, but you could still tell he had quality when the ball did find him. Hajrovic can’t afford to let Ajose get the wrong side of him, because he won’t be caught. Thorpe looked unconvincing, though, and if Afobe can really expose him and force Wootton (who looked very impressive) to double up on him we could find some gaps at the back. It’s very fortunate that Pogba can’t play, but to be honest I still think Man U will edge us at home.
Not to mention the likes of King and Cole, who I think will have too much for our defence – which hasn’t convinced me this season.
Does anyone know what are expected line up will be?
Something like this??
Dunn
Hajrovic-Boateng-Miquel-Evina
Yennaris
Aneke/Ozyakup Henderson
Deacon-Afobe-Freeman
Ravel Morrison is fantastic. Skill, pace and runs at defenders! One I am hoping does make the grade to the first team!
A bit offtopic
I think we need 4 players including chamak
ST – Chamak
CM/DM – Melo (someone to play alongside song and fabregas in a 3 man midfield)
CB – Cahill (if gallas leaves)
GK – Frey (or buffon if wenger really wants to become a fan favourite)
I think we will sell Eduardo and maybe Arshavin and release Gallas, Sendros and Silvestre and loan out Vela and Fabianski
I wish what I said above might happen
but what is more likely is Wojciech Szczesny given a chance to prove himself, a defender being brought in if Gallas leaves. If gallas doesnt leave then Djourou will become our new signing for defense and that might be it.
Then we will be told that market was too inflated
Eduardo is likely to be sold and Arshavin looks a certainty to leave after his comments about Barca.
If Wojciech Szczesny is given a chance I have no probelm since he’s probably the best young keeper in the world and his saves have been out of this world but Gallas needs to replaced and I think Melo needs to be brought in to replace Diaby and Denilson who are too inconsistent. Nasri can take over Arshavin position and maybe do a better job than him. Rosicky can play there aswell and Silva is coming in the winter transfer window (wellington silva)
read something online the other day saying wenger has already offered chesney to several championship clubs
I am a United fan who follows the academy regularly and will be at Carrington tomorrow. I am really looking forward to this game! This United under 18 squad is the best in many years and in attack we have lots of creativity, pace and skill. Pogba will be a massive loss because he is probably the best midfielder of his age in the country (he has everything) but I am hoping Ravel Morrison can have one of his ‘good’ days because if he wants to he can be a world beater. I expect our team to be same as what Nick said above.
I have heard very good things about Afobe and Aneke from my friends who support Arsenal so looking forward to seeing them, I just hope we can keep them quiet because if we do I think we will win
Hey DB, i m a GOONER.. good you are working hard to find who the good ones at ARSENAL are.. may be your friends did not tell you about Henderson.. he was with the first team for the last 2 matches.. that would tell how high the ARSENAL staff rate him.. Evina another one is as good as you get.. This is a team game and you dont win just by silencing one or two players.. There is a champion in each of our players.. get that..!!
does anyone know wats the story with samuel galindo
Here’s the latest:
http://younggunsblog.co.uk/2010/03/clarification-of-the-samuel-galindo-signing/
From the little I’ve seen of him, Morisson looks a fantastic talent. I specially like him when he plays in the middle, very skillfull and easy on the ball.
This Arsenal team is very talented, but defensively naive, as showed in the FA Youth Cup. It should be a great game though.
ps : I’ve been impressed by Yenarris ‘ progress. He looks more and more tidy in possession
We got two players in the U17 Euro squad. Man utd got three.
http://www.thefa.com/England/mens-u17s/News/2010/EuroSquad
Isn’t Nico Yennaris good enough for this squad? I’ve always rated him, but maybe there are a lot of competition in the England team. Highly Man utd yougnster Ravel Morrison isn’t included neither.
Highly rated*
Morrison hasnt been included for England in the past 6 months due to regular injuries and also concerns about his lifestyle (rumoured to be a bit of loose cannon), on talent alone he would be in the side every time, the kid has genius in his boots, he just glides past players with ease.
To those arsenal fans who want to watch the match then I know none of you will have MUTV but you can probably stream the match from http://www.simplyreds.com/matchday-live.html at around 11am
Even though i personally rate him the best football player in England in his age group i agree with the FA’s admission of Ravel Morrison’s for the UEFA European U17’s championships, because he needs to get back to what he does best at club level which he is currently starting to do, before he starts to think about international football, which will come again once he gets his head right IMO.
Is Morrison better than Wilshere then?? I ean Jack has impressed at the premier league level already. Being at United, he might not get as much of an opportnity there, but if he were loaned out like Jack was this year, to a premier league club, then he’ll be on the same sort of path as Wilshere. Aren’t they different types of players though?? I haven’t ever seen Morisson, apart from some youtube clips. I was impressed by him in those, but youtube clips mean next to nothing.
Personally I think that Morrison has more potential than any other player in England. He has all the talent in the world but probably isnt as mature (both mentally and physically) as Wilshire yet and so couldnt play in the Premiership. Saying that he is born February 1993, where as Wilshire is born January 1992 so is a year younger. If Morrison can sort out his attitude and work rate (I have heard many times that he doesnt bother in training, just turns up when he wants to) he will not only be a United regular in a few years, but could be part of the England team in 2014 World Cup.
Of the current united academy side, I fully expect Pogba, Morrison and Keane to make the first team in a few years.
Yes he has more talent but whether he fulfill’s it is another matter.
I havent seen this kid but more talent then Wilshere? Really?!?! Now I am going to be on a search for this kid and i hope he isnt just another overhyped english player cuz that happens alot. I would fin it hard to believe there is a bigger english talent than Jack Wilshere.
Is Morissin a box to box midfield player or more of a playmaker?? Or can he play anywhere in the midfield?? We can’t forget about Chucks Aneke here. Wenger described him a technically perfect. I’m not going to argue hahaha. I’ve seen enough of Jack Wilshere that I can say he can become as good as, or better than Iniesta. I don’t know who Morrison is comperable to. Who is he comperable to?? I’ll try to watch the match on saturday. I might have to use the Man United link :S hahaha. I haven’t seen Pogba or Keane either, but I’ve heard tremendous things about them and Ferguson will incorporate them into the 1st team eventually. He brought through a bunch of great players before, so it’s more than likely he will do it again.
Morrison has played right wing, centre midfield and left wing. He is not really box to box, more of a creative player, like iniesta (but much faster) but has brilliant all round attributes. He is very fast, dribbles with the ball stuck to his foot and glides past players. He is also a brilliant finisher from close and long range and has good passing. He can improve his heading and a few other things obviously but he has time on his side still. Pogba is more of a box to box player (being 6″2 and very strong), big miss for united tomorrow!
I unfortunately think that the united link is the only place you will get to watch match as it is only shown on MUTV
He can operate right across the midfield, but he is probably most influential in the center, which is where I expect him to be used tomorrow. In terms of comparisons, it’s always dangerous to compare young players to known superstars, but in terms of his running style, the player that he most reminded me of when I first saw him was Rivaldo — he just seemed to glide across the pitch, passing players at will (sometimes several), and with very little effort.
Whether he will be as influential as he can be, I have my doubts, because he has played very little football this season, although he has appeared in the last 5 or 6 games in a row, so he should be reaching a decent level of fitness and form. Since he has returned he has played a somewhat circumspect role and hasn’t over-exerted himself, either physically or in terms of trying to impose his talent on the opposition.
It’s a blow to lose Pogba, to be honest, and particularly as he was sent off for saying something to a referee who failed to punish someone for a fairly nasty tackle. That’s one of my biggest criticisms of youth football, because the last thing that we should be doing is allowing the same level physicality at that level as we do at first team level.
I don’t like it there, either, because it favors players who are often not particularly talented and effectively punishes those who are (as all of the rules favor or punish behavior), but to allow it at youth level is a national disgrace, in my opinion. And we then wonder why we can’t pass the ball to each other at International level, without ever realizing that it is something that has to be encouraged at all levels. Games that are defined by too quick a pace and too much physicality tend to encourage a game where the ball changes sides very quickly.
Yeah, I live in Canada so it will be hard to figure out what time the match starts, but it will probably be in the EARLY morning hahaha. I can handle that though. Do you need to be a member of MUTV to watch?? Cuz I can’t even afford a subscription for ArsenalTV so I won’t watch it if I have to pay to see it:S lol.
That link is free i think, because it is a stream. I am not sure how great the quality of stream will be though. The game kicks off at 11am on Friday in UK so not sure what that will be in Canada. I am going along to Carrington to watch the game and really excited because i genuinely believe it will be two great pure footballing sides going at each other.
Morrison has a higher potential and more talent than Wilshere? Based on what?
Despite his small frame, Wilshere has always played a year above his age group at internation level. At this time last year, Wilshere had already scored his first senior goal for Arsenal. At 16 he torn Real Madrid apart in a friendly for the senior side. And Wilshere is strong for his size, but not very physical developed. And he did the same with Atletico Madrid and Rangers this preseaon. Morrison is quite well built too, so doubt that “his physical mature” is the explanation why Wilshere is a far better player than Morrison.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen a lot of Man utd highlights and Morrison seems special. But I think its unfair to compare him with Wilshere when he has yet to prove himself on a higher level than U18 (and a few reserve games).
The only difference is in their attitude, Wilshire seems to be hard working and i imagine trains well. Morrison is the opposite, seems to not care that much and thinks it is more about him than the team. For this reason, Fergie has held Morrison back from the first team to try and keep his ego in touch, plus Morrison is a year and a bit younger than Wilshire. All i know is that England have two brilliant midfielders for the future!
Morisson can play as a playmaker, his best position IMO, or on the wings. Super skill on the ball, goes past players very easily
looks very lazy and arrogant too
There’s something similar to Ben Arfa in him, fantastic skill and creativity, but you feel that his attitude might be a big problem
OK that’s 7:00 am my time I think. Not bad!! As long as I can beat my twin bro to the damn computer hahaha. I think it is too hard for me to judge anyone’s opinion about Morrison. I am not at all prepaired to say he is better than Wilshere or Aneke or any of our top prospects because I plain just haven’t seen the guy play. Even after tomorrow it will be hard for me to judge him! I can judge his performance in one match, but that would be all. He sounds like a very special talent though.
Yh morrison is pretty talented kind of reminds me of bostock. Bostock was quality at under 18s had pace, power, skill, could go past 4 or 5 players.
Its like Nicklas Bendtner at 15,16 he would go past 4 or 5 players for fun with his pace and skill and you watch him now hes looks totally different. Youth football is very different to first team football.
Paul pogba i wanted to see him against Chuks Aneke. Pogba looks quality
Chuks Aneke for me is a supber player 6ft 4/5 stylish, skillfull, elegant, never gives the ball away picks the right option and scores goals.
Conor Henderson is a player i have admired for a while now. I think hes ready to step up to another level. Hes one of the best young passers of a ball i have seen. Hes got a great left foot.
jack wilshere was scoring goals and creating goals for arsenal at 15 whilst only being 5ft 6 scored 3 hat tricks in his debut season in the under 18s from central midfield. Hes likes a rooney, fabregas, messi, ramsey special talents with maturity beyond theier years
Pingback: Academy Semi-Final Preview: The Arsenal View « United Youth
Morrison sounds like Queresma. All the talent in the world but a serious attitude problem. It can potentially spoil a promising career. Still, I suppose he is at the right club to get it ironed out of him.
Aneke rocks
Arsenal dominating at the moment, I think Afobe just had shot cleared of the line
Man United are looking very dangerous on the counter
im watching the game but im not a close follow of the youths can wheres that ozzie fella i thought he was rated highly and y is yenaris playing at the back i thought he was a midfelder
we r completely dominating but just like the first team were not taking our chances im impressed with henderson and freeman. afobe needs 2 do more 4 me and so does aneke.
What’s d scores
Tanx guys 4 the updates
extra time
ozzy’s on for deacon. 100 mins in
1-0 OZZZZZZZZYYYYYYYYYYY!
thanks for the update… OZZZZZZZZZZZZZZYYYYYYYYYYYYY!
1-1 :(
penalties
WHEN ARE PPL GOING TO UNDERSTAND BENIK AFOBE ISNT GOOD IN OPEN PLAY HES LIKE DARREN BENT.
LUKE FREEMAN IS A BETTER PROSPECT THAN AFOBE. HIS TOUCH, DRIBBLING HAS BEEN IMPRESSIVE
Yeah and Lansbury is better than JET etc etc
Freeman and Afobe are different players except that and move on
You’re a disgrace, John. That is all.
Great save by Shea
2-1 pens to us so far
3-1 to us so far
3-2 to us
4-2 to us
4-3 to us
5-3 to Arsenal well done boys.
damn, reading those penalty updates made me tense.
yes lads! fucking good pens from the boys!
Henri lansbury is better than jay thomas. Just watch next season.
Great result wasnt a great performance by arsenal.
Yennaris played well at right back even though hes a central midfielder. I would have liked to see have seen him in central midfield. We would have looked better in midfield if he was plying.
FRIMPONG WHAT THE HELL HAS HAPPENED TO HIM? HES GONE BACKWARDS
Frimpong was class in the first half, but he tired in the second.
These are kids, John. Get a hold of yourself.
Yennaris was probalby our poorest player today, but in an unfamilier position. Hajrovic is injuried, Angha with the swiss U16 team and Obed/Byles not good enough so thats why he played RB. Frimpong was outstanding in the first half, but he’s been injuried for a long time and got tired. Should probably have been subbed off.
I aint sayint they are shit i am just saying they are beeing overhyped.
Our last years team was the best one we have produced in a decade I will say. We have Bartley, Ayling, Eastmond, Coquelin, Wilshere, JET, Henderson, Sunu and Watt from it and I am sure atleast 3 players will go on to become regulars in the first team.
Which is more than any elite club produces in a year
Wilshere is definitely going to make it so didnt add him to the list
JAMES SHEA MAN OF THE MATCH!!! Watched the game on JustinTV through MUTV. Great game! Yeah Young Gunners!
After an excellent first half performance from the boys, that second half was absolutely dire. In the greater scheme of things, no big deal – i’ve seen more then enough the U-18’s to know it was an anomaly – but it’s a shame United supporters will be under the misapprehenision now that that in any way represents how good the team is. The skill execution was so uncharacterised poor, so non-Arsenal-ish, it honestly made for ugly viewing. We were also way too direct at times, and I include in that rather sweeping statement the inexplicable long kicking of James Shea. I’m always perplexed that a club otherwise uncompromising in it’s pursuit of aesthetic football almost always looks to take goal kicks long…it’s ridiculous. We should be following Barcelona’s example – they have an ingrained philosophy which says ‘if you can throw it, do so’. And their full-backs always drop short and wide to create the option.
Also must commend the United match coverage. Obviously, club TV entails, by defintion, more than a small helping of partisanship – and the commentators did indulge in this regularly – but I felt they managed to be respectful and fair to Arsenal all the same (without abandoning their United-biased discussion). Good stuff really. If anyone’s ever watched the Chelsea commentators superior, provocative, patronising disregard for their opponents in their reserve league coverage, you’ll know how moronic these programs can become.
the back 5 and freeman played excellent, out there skins. freeman is a very very talented player he got the lot all he needs now is consitance. is it me or does james shea looks like shay given i think we have the best young keepers in the country we even aint seen that argie martinez. vito shea ws and fabianski (NOT LOL). ANYWAYS WHERE IN THE FINAL AND WE SHOWED GREAT TEAM SPIRIT FOR THE AWAY TEAM. WE NEED TO BE A BIT QUICKER ON THE BALL THO IF WE DID WE WOULD AVE BREEZED THREW THAT GAME. RAVEL MORRISON BETTER THAN WILSHERE HA DONT MAKE ME LAUGH DONT GET ME WRONG HE GOOD BUT NOTHING COMPAIRED TO THE MISTRO…….. COME ON THE YG’S
I did like ajose from Man Utd good young winger but he was playing against yennaris whos a defensive midfielder still played well i thought.
If yennaris played in central midfield instead of frimpong i think we would have looked much better in midfield
I think these two teams will be the favorites for the FAYC next season.
Yennaris, Miquel, Boateng, Aneke, Ozyakup and Afobe all eligble for that cup next year for us, Fryers, Thorpe, Morrison, Pogba, Tunnicliffe, Keane and Cofie for Man utd.
where is the final being played on tuesday?
Emirates, I think.
So did Ozyakup score for us?
BTW who (out of our youth strikers) do you think has the most potential?
Freeman for me and Ansah aswell but he’s a bt like Morrison, Too much potential but not enough discipline.
I dont get the hype with Afobe.
Bendtner at youth level was miles better than afobe he had pace, skill go past 3 or 4 players, create goals and score goals.
Every time i have seen Luke freeman hes impressed me technically and physically. Hes like David Villa with work rate. I think he could break into the first team hes good at short passing and hes got great movement. HIS TOUCH AND RUN FOR OZZIE GOAL WAS SUPERB
Freeman is definitely the striker I think has the most chance of making it. He is a better player than Afobe and Deacon in skills but he’s also a very good professional and a team worker. I rate him higher than Afobe and Deacon.
Afobe was being courted by Barca and that’s why there’s so much hype about him.
john- did you get your BNP vote in barking you sad b’strd.
Saw the game defence and keeper were solid Frimpong tired 2nd half but hes just back off
long injury. Anyone having Deacon and Henderson. How he gets on 1st team bench is fishy in 2hrs what did either of them do. Freeman did ok and delivered the set up cross but his first
someone has to get his blinkers OFF. Generally i think both teams have too much hype merchants (like all of the above) due to teams there in. But Pogba Ajose Aneke looked like prospects.
from the current under 18s we have
Ignasi Miguel is the best defender in the league – he’s technically gifted, has a great height and a very good tackler
Connor Henderson
Ozzyakup
Freeman
I think all four of them have a very very good chance of making it.
JOHN- F…K OFF YOU RACIST C>>T.
I thought Pogba was suspended?
Anyway, watched the game on MUTV (the first time i’ve seen this bunch for the whole 90 mins). We completely and utterly dominated the first half. The Man Utd commentators aren’t used to seeing this particular batch of United youngsters outplayed like that. We were neat but a tad wasteful in the final third (a bit like the first team).
It was no surprise seeing Manure come into it a bit in the second half as that’s the way the wind was blowing (and it was quite windy). Still, we gave a better account of ourselves going against the wind than they did in the first period.
One thing i gotta say is that it is so, so nice to see an Arsenal side who can mix it physically, works hard for one another and when the play gets congested, the passes don’t go to shit and they can actually work the triangle and come out of it (something the first team often fail at).
Ratings:
Shea – 8 – One of the best performances i’ve seen him produce. A bit heroic at times and even took out Benik when coming for a corner. Made a couple of good saves and had good handling. Our best player i believe.
Yennaris – 7 – Gotta disagree with WEM and say that he did really well against Ajose. He was often isolated against the speedy United winger but stuck to his task and generally did well. Neat in possession, good decision-making.
Boateng – 6.5 – Dealt really well with Keane simply because the United striker is quite poorly built in a physical sense. This kid is strong and quite quick but has very poor concentration levels and is positionally suspect at times. Made a couple of good interceptions/tackles.
Miquel – 7 – Very, very composed on the ball with good distribution. A big lad who knows how to utilise his physical attributes to his benefit. . Read the game well and made a couple of good interceptions. What surprised me today with him is that he actually showed a fair amount of pace
Evina – 6.5 – Got forward well (his best attribute), decent crosses, good pace but very, very poor positionally. Not the worst performance i’ve seen of his by a long shot although he does need to use the ball better.
Frimpong – 6 – Whether he was tired or not, he was our worst player on the day IMO. He had a decent first half but dropped in performance and work-rate a whole lot after the break. I’ve always said this about Manny. He is absolutlely brilliant at tackling. He is one tenacious kid and i love that about him. But his distribution is terrible at times and his concentration and decision-making is also terrible at times. He frustrates me and really needs to step it up.
Henderson – 7 – Neat and tidy. Great left foot, same old, same old. I would like this kid to get some aggression into his game. If he had Frimpong’s aggression and tenacity, then he would be right in the first team mix. Good prospect.
Aneke – 6.5 – This kid is my personal favourite youth player along with Afobe but he was a little off the pace today. He looked very tired towards the end and was quite lethargic. He has the most amazing first touch. The ball sticks to his foot. Got into good positions on the edge of the box and crafted out a shooting opportunity for himself with his trickery although his shots were quite wayward today.
Deacon – 6 – Couldn’t influence the game as much as he tried. Took on his man (United’s left back Fryers who IMO was their best player in the first half) time and time again, but to no avail. Overall, not the best game of quite a decent season for Roarie, along with Manny, he was our worst player on the day.
Freeman – 7 – I love his work-rate and directness at times. This is what ultimately led to Ozzie’s breakthrough goal when he galloped and bulldozed down the left wing and put the telling cross into the box. He does tend to snatch at chances that come his way. Needs to work on his his overall composure.
Afobe – 6.5 – He had a difficult time against two big strapping United defenders. Couldn’t hold the ball up as well as he should have and was left quite isolated at times. Had a shot cleared off the line in the first half after a nice touch and turn. Then pulled another effort, in the second half, inches wide from a very tight angle after creating the chance all by himself. He never gives up and keeps going.
Sub: Ozzie – 6 – On for Deacon in extra time. Took his goal really well. Neat in possession.
Well done lads. Now let’s win it.
P.S. John – Sometimes you say things that i agree with but Freeman is not a better prospect than Afobe. Afobe has more class about him. Darren Bent? Please.
‘Afobe was being courted by Barca and that’s why there’s so much hype about him.’
Na mate. Afobe is hyped because he is an amazing prospect at this moment in time. Hence why the world’s best academy wanted to draft him in. He scored about 38 goals in 33 games for Gatting’s under 16’s a couple of years ago and has shown that he is a handful for any defender he comes up against and knows how to find the net since he was a kid. He has scored many, many goals in his short career at all levels, including International. He has also improved his build up play this past year and his movement off the ball. I like Luke Freeman as much as the next guy but you won’t find him scoring the sort of goals that Benik gets. Some of you guys follow our youngsters and the whole youth set-up without actually following it. Figure that one out.
Some of us look at more than just goals scored to decide how good someone is. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Freeman proved more successful than him in the future. Afobe has a physical advantage at the moment that he won’t have when he gets older and this age group grows as well. Not to mention how often does a player score a bucketload at youth level and then not make it. Lupoli was brilliant at scoring goals at youth level. He got nowhere. Bendtner with his betetr work rate and who created most of the Lupoli’s chances is now the one in the team.
i’ve found the more knowledgeable gooner contingent rate Freeman higher than Afobe. Just an observation.
Frimpong was miles better than Aneke.
Freeman impressed, although he does go long spells without touching the ball.
Afobe for me is all hype i havent seen him do anything special. Hes like Darren bent
Freeman is the better player technically hes way ahead of afobe, his control, touch, movement, dribbling is all much better than afobe. Plus hes doesnt give the ball away as well and always in goal scoring chances.
Afobe looks good physically but lacks techncailly ability and doesnt offer much in open play.
But i hope i am proved wrong.
Chuks Aneke on the otherhand has impressed he looks a real talent one and hes the real deal
TJ da goon YH DARREN BENT. YOU KNOW PLAYS FOR SUNDERLAND GOOD GOAL SCORER BUT DOES NAFF ALL IN OPEN PLAY.
Miquel the best defender in the league :D Do one, what on earth qualifies you to make such a statement?
TJ
Afobe is a player in the darren bent mould he’s very good aierally and a good finisher but Freeman makes better runs behind the defense and he’s much better than him technically. Afobe is more heyped than Freeman because he was being courted by barca but if I had to choose who I like more than I will go with Freeman. He’s a real worker, he drops deep to set up play and his finishing is much better than Afobe. His run ins and pace are also better than Afobe in my view but I am not sure about the pace.
Aneke is 16 and he still doesnt look out of sort in the reserve and with his technical ability and his height he will be a perfect midfielder.
Our problem in the future will be what to do with all these talented midfielders – Wilshere, Ramsey, Merida, Eastmond, Coquellin, Henderson, ozzie, aneke
(too much talent in one area if you ask me.)
Forgot about Lansbury who for me has the same bright future as players like Wilshere and Ramsey in the heart of arsenal midfield
I must say I was impressed with Arsenal this morning, especially Shea, Aneke and Freeman but also think that Uniteds best few players didnt have the best of days. Will Keane (our academy player of year) had his worst game of year, Pogba didnt start and Morrison was unable to have his usual influence due to Arsenal playing Frimpong who sat in front of back 4.
The thing I found most impressive though was the number of British players in the two sides. United only had one non-british player (josh king) and Arsenal had 2 i think (Miquel and Evina). Also, of Uniteds kids Brown, Thorpe, Wooton, Fryers, Ajose, Tunicliffe, Morrison, Keane all come from in around Manchester which is hugely impressive to get that talent from such a small pool of players.
Congrats to Arsenal, See you lot in the Youth Cup final next year
Would echo this, apart from I thought Morrison had a very good game and was at the heart of almost everything good we did. King and especially Keane had off days unfortunately, else we’d have pinched it I think just on sheer number of chances.
Great game to watch, about as attractive and entertaining a 0-0 you’ll ever see in the 90 minutes. Arsenal very impressive first half, boot on the other foot second half and in extra- time but both sides looked capable of making things happen even when on the back foot. Freeman stood out a mile for me as far as Arsenal were concerned, a constant threat. He looks like a hell of a player (albeit also has that air about him that if he does make it, he’s going to be one that opposition fans love to hate!). Evina impressed me too, and the keeper obviously.
Shame there had to be a loser, two very good young teams. Good luck in the final.
I fink deacon is much underrated
I missed the 1st half cuz i thought it started at 7:00 am, my time in Canada, but it actually started at 6 am:S Aneke and Ozyakup just have that extra touch of class about them in the midfield. That for me is so important . I know I’m stating the obvious here haha. I could see it with Pogba and Morrison as well as Ajose. If Shea keeps playing like this, we might have just found another keeper for ourselves!! Sometimes all a keeper needs is a bit of time to find his footing, and then they take off. Loved how he just plowed Afobe out of the way!! hahaha. As long as he’s not seriously injured. Both teams need to know who is the boss of the box. that is a big part of our first team keepers’ problems. Great penalties by the Arsenal as well!!:D I’m really glad we won and I hope we win the Cup now!!:D Funny thing is we probably won’t get to see it unless we have another link like what the Man United supporters gave us:S lol.
What happend to the Man utd kid everyone was talking about. After the game no one posted anything about this kid that they were just calling better than Jack Wilshere.
Ravel morrison is a talent. But hes no jack wilshere.
Wilshere is rare central midfielder who can do all the things central midfielder does plus dribble. You dont see central midfielders who dribble.
Arsenal had aneke, afobe, shea, evina, yennaris, henderson, frimpong, deacon all come from london and been at arsenal since they were 8 or 9
I am asking what happened in the game.
“You don’t see central midfielders who dribble” – well Morrison is one.
Ravel Morisson was rather quiet during the match if that is what you are asking about Shane. If you are asking what happened during the entire match, i’m too lazy to say all that hahaha. TJ DA GOON wrote a summary and rated the players. That isn’t too far up from the last post here. It’s a really long one.
I just wanted to know how this Ravel Morrison kid did. I found it funny how I heard all this hype about him before the game. People calling him the next great thing and even saying he is a bigger talent than Wiishere. After the game though, I dont hear one word about him. I just wanted to know how good he actually was from people that werent already hyping him up before the game.
Morrison is way overrated. Good prospect but not on Jack Wilsheres level. Wilshere at 16 was was making his debut in the prem and scoring & starring in the Carling Cup. And Morrison has a bad attitude.
@alex
Ravel Morrison is not overrated but he has missed most of the season through injury and has only been back playing football in the last couple of weeks, but given time avoiding injuries and an attitude adjustment i will still stand by my claim that if does these things, he will turn out to be a bigger talent than Jack Wilshere in the future..
Kentpaul….lol. That is an easy statement to say with a bunch of convient get out of jail cards.
@ Kentpaul, in your dreams. He is all hype, Will Keane is the British talent to look for from their academy
Has James Shea grown any taller since last year? I like him but feel he’s a bit on the short side to be a real top class goalkeeper.
Morrison is a classy player. Amazing potential. Had a decent game today going by his standards. Had one very good attempt at goal from about 25 yards out which was headed for the top corner until Shea knocked it over the bar. This Man Utd batch are really promising and i’ve seen them on a few occassions this year (my pops has MUTV).
I am not getting into a debate about who’s the better player when it comes to Afobe and Freeman. Both are good players but if you went up and down this country asking youth coaches and scouts who they believe will turn out the better player, then i’m very confident that you will find most tell you Afobe.
John – Don’t get smart with me. As far as Benik not doing anything special, well, he scored one of the best goals i’ve seen at academy level when he snatched a win for our lads towards the back end of last season with a fabulous chip over the Chelsea ‘keeper (who’s 6″5) right at the death. I’m sure Jamie Sanderson and most of you guys on here will remember that. You only have to see the way he takes his chances. He can finish with both feet and is good in the air. Without any serious injuries and him keeping his head down and continuing to learn, he can be immense. Something’s definitely up if you think Benik isn’t a fantastic prospect. He will far surpass Bent’s standard if all goes well with his development.
TJ da goon i am not saying afobe is a bad player i am just saying freeman is better. Yh he scored a goal against chelsea world class finish. Darren Bent is a quality finisher afobe is in the Darren bent mould out and out goal scorer who doesnt get involved in open play.
Freeman showed more and seems to be improving whilst afobe just seems to be the same. maybe next year he will step up and show his class. But atm i havent really been impressed. WITH THE MIDFIELD ARSENAL HAVE GOT I EXPECT ANY STRIKER TO SCORE GOALS.
From what I have seen of Freeman, he is a good young player with alot less upside. John I think your biggest issue is that you have is you see a player for what he is as a youth player but arent a good judgement of potential. I watched the u20 world cup and for brazil there was a player named Alex Teixara who had a great tournement and was voted 2nd best player at the tourney but you could tell he was just a good u20 player but didnt have the special qualities needed to be top class. I saw this kid Paulo Henrique and even tho he didnt have the best overall tourney, he showed bits of pure skill and talent that would work no matter what level he is playing at. Who do you think is the better player now? When you look at Afobe, he has the size, power, pace, and provides some finishes that make people think he can be a big talent. There is a longer road for Freeman has a mcuh larger gap to make up to do it on the proffesional level. Some people know how to judge potential and some people dont. That is why flops are bought every day.
@ John, Darren Bent isnt a quality finisher, just because he scored 20 plus goals doesnt depict his finishing, what reflects his finishing is the ratio of goals per chance [it sorts men from boys] and DB is very low in that category hence why he cant do it with England as we create very little in open-play against quality teams thus those little opportunities must be seized upon which DB has been incapable of doing.
John type benik afobe in youtube… try tell me freeman can score goals like this !!!
Shane i think you need help.
Luke freemna i have been saying on here for like 4 or 5 months now looks a real talent. He looks more of a first teamer than afobe. His link up, short passing, two footed, good on the ball he looks an Arsenal player. he just needs to improve physically.
Look i hope i am proved wrong by Afobe but i just cant see it. I have seen most of the games and i havent been impressed. HE CERTAINLY WONT GET IN THE BARCELONA YOUTH TEAM.
First of all people should not insult people like your first comment because you wouldnt do that if we were face to face.
Obviously you dont get it. Consistency at youth level is not the key thing in determining who is a better prospect. Anyways, where would Freeman play? On the wing? He is fast enough or a good enough dribble to take people one on one. Is he going to play center forward? He surely isnt big enough for that. He would need a major growth spurt. Yes he is a very consistent player and a decent finisher but he has nothing special about him. Unfortenetly we have to wait about 5 years before we can see who is right but this is one area, I am rarely wrong in.
Luke Freeman – Benik Afobe – Ignasri Miquel – Henderson – Aneke – Yennaris – James Shea – Ozzie – Deacon
All are great propsects but that’s what they are prospects
how they do when they play regular football for a championship or a league one side will truly show how good they are and if they have any chance of making it in the first team.
I think if a player who goes straigth to a championship side and does well then he’s got a good chance of making it, if a player goes to a PL team and does well then he’s got a very good chance of making it. (just my view)
How good they look at youth or even reserve level is really not a good indication of whether he can make it or not a good eg being Eastmond. I thought Coquellin was miles ahead of him but he has not out of place even in the PL and even commentators were singing his praises for his toughness.
You can tell who will be good at the pro level when they are youth players. That is what scouts get paid to do. See the potential in a player and make a judgement if they think he will be good 5 years from then in the pros. The key to watching youngsters is to not get overwelmed by quanity but focus on the quility. Quality are things that would work in any game regardless if it is verse youth players or first team players. If a player scores 20 goals but 10 were tap ins, 5 were bad defending and 5 were pks, that translates to nothing in the pro level. Quality are things like chip shots, the iniesta skill move, great vision on a pass. Things like that,
chip shots are easiers to do against an academy keeper then in PL
even a scout can’t say that a player will turn out to be a great player it is almost always a gamble and ability are one thing alot of players have ability but if a players doesnt conduct himself the right way when they go out on loans or around other players then that player is sure to fail.
Chip shots as in ones like Wilshere did in the rangers preseason game or Rooneys goal verses portsmouth. Those kinds of shots show a certain class about a player.
Obviously just by watching a kid in a game you cant judge if he will have the perfect attitude to make it. That is a stupid point. By the way that is why they do research on players before they sign them. Another thing is that it isnt just a random gamble when you sign a young player. Certain scouts work for better teams because they are better than other scouts. Just saying it is a gamble is wrong.
YG
Arsenal signed Luis Gustavo Conte alongside Silva can you put dig some more info about him all I know is that he’s 14-15 and is a wondekid.
Any idea of how tall he is? How long will it take for him to make the switch and is he in any brazilian youth team?
JS are their any good young centre backs coming through?
We seem to have good central midfielders coming through. Josh rees looks fantastic he plays similar to Aaron ramsey. I like the look of callum webb and jeffrey monkana.
We need some centre backs
Answer
Martin Angha Harjovic
we need right backs mate. We have plenty of centerbacks.
hoyte was suppose to solve our RB problem but he’s gone backward since his loan spell
that’s why wenger is trying to turn coquelin in to a RB and if he learns the positional sense then he has all the abilites to become an awesome RB.
I think this is one position we will have to buy for at some time or another
Shane you need help. There is nothing special about freeman? TELL ME WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT AFOBE? APART FROM SCORING GOALS WHAT ELSE DOES HE ACTUALLY DO? Freeman has got much more than scoring goals, hes two footed, got skill, can dribble, can see a pass, got vision, can play deep or on the shoulder of a defender, very good in the air despite his size, good technique, can hold the ball under pressure from 2 or 3 players.
Afobe is just a goal scorer who plays on the last shoulder look at most of his goals INCLUDING HIS CHIP HES WAITING FOR BALLS TO COME TO HIM SO HE CAN FINISH THEM OFF. HES A BRILLIANT FINISHER NO DOUBT BUT HE DOESNT HAVE THE ALL ROUND GAME YOU NEED TO PLAY FOR ARSenal
Luke freeman makes an impact in every youth game like how wilshere, Bendtner use to do.
Shane your chatting so much crap consistency is everything at youth level you numpty.
You have got be consistent or you wont break through the first team. Thats the hardest thing being consistent and freeman seems to be putting in consistent top quality performances.
this is stupid
how can anyone say who’s going to make it and who’s not going to make it
everything will depend on how they do in their loan spells and who we have playing in the first team at that moment.
If we dont need new strikers in the team then they will have to move elsewhere to get more first team action.
Freeman is a different player than afobe one is a target man like Darren Bent and other is like Rooney.
@john a strikers primary job is to score goals and if he’s doing that on a regular basics then it doesnt matter how much he’s invovled in the play for the rest of the game as long as he scores the goals
Berbatov is a good example he drops deep and links up very well with the midfield but cant score goals on a regular basics and that’s why he so hated at united.
Freeman is more like Rooney he drops deep but gets back and scores goals but that doesnt make him better than Afobe it just makes him different,
Afobe – Target man
Freeman is a lot like Rooney and he was the youngest player to feature in a FA cup so he’s got something going for him.
Wants again stop insult me with your first comment. You are being an asswhole. Now moving on. You listed all things that Freeman is good at but not one thing he is great at proving my point. In the same token you listed 1 thing Afobe is great at. The rest of his game is down to his age. You dont think he will learn build up play as he gets older. There are alot of “consistent” youth players , but lack anything special. Here I will prove my point. Often times the reserve player of the year never makes it in the first team. Remember Mathew Connoly, Kieren Lee from Manchester Utd. If you dont than there is a reason for that lol. Consistentcy is good but if there is nothing special about you then your game won’t translate to the next level. It is shown over and over again, maybe you should pay attention. And instead of insulting me you ass whole put together a decent arguement that doesnt back up exactly what i say. You “Muppet”.
Now obviusly we disagree so I am just going to move on. But I will leave you something to ponder. Lets say you have a player that has the talent of Messi but isnt consistent. Then you have another player who has the talent of Denilson but is consistent. Which will be harder to do, ….get the “consistent” player to have the ability of the “messi” ability player or get the “messi” ability player to be consistent?
My point is Benik Afobe isnt this wonderkid everyone thought he would be. Yes he scores goals but hes not a player whos going to excite fans and do something special.
The really special players i have seen are probably wilshere and Bendtner. Nicklas Bendtner for me was the best arsenal youth player i have seen. He was brilliant to watch its just a shame you watch him now he looks so different.
Bendtner is still a very talented player and really only lacks to things that will make him a top class player. He is only 22 and there are not that many 22 year old target men better than him. He just needs to improve his composure in the finishing aspect and his consistency as in staying involved for the whole game. These are 2 things he will get better at with age. The real shame is most people cant see that and just critisize him.
But as you say . Afobe has one thing he is really good at and that is finishing. I have seen him do other parts of the game, he just doesnt do them on a regular bases but that doesnt meen he doesnt have the ability to do these things. He has the talent to be a top class player.
yes.. people are soooooo impatient with arsenal younger players, they expected every of our young players to burst into the scene as messi, aguero, fabregas..
At 22 years old, already his country first choice striker.. Yet looking around many arsenal forums still plenty of muppets wanna sell him.
Denilson 22, his role is to play the safe simple passes from midfield, acting as a defensive shield, intercepting passes.. yet people go ballistic when he passes sideways and not forward. Even if he wont become world class in the future, he can still make a decent squad player. Depth, what’s that we’re been yelling out for for season especially with our injuries. Yet many people want him gone.. what the hell?
The same goes for Vela, how many chances did he get? Admittedly he didnt do too well but did he even get a run of games to hit his form? Eduardo as well..
People are so impatient sometimes
Agree with you. People think only about a starting 11 to often. Depth is always why we lose. there are only a couple players that really arent good enough and there are only a couple positions we need help but when I here we should sell Arshavin, Nasri, Eboue, Diaby, Bendtner, vela, etc….that is what frusterates me. I will in the future I could see the depth in the midfield getting where Denilson isnt needed because we have all this talent coming through in this area.
People also forget Eduardo snapped his leg in 2 not to long ago. He really just lacked that confidence he use to have. It is unfortunet because the old Eduardo could have had 20 goals this year. I don’t see the need to sell him though because his value has dropped where it isnt even worth selling so at this point his value can only go up. If he gets back to his old self which I think he can. He just needs a run of games where he scores a few goals. Also depth never hurts.
On the Vela thing,…..this one amazes me. It is like everyone forgot what he did in his first year here. He scored some amazing goals. This kid will be a huge star.
I personally really like Benik Afobe because he is a killer in the box and i reckon he will make it here, but i like Ipswich Towns Connor Wickham more, and i like us to put a bid in and try and get him while we still can, because this kid is going to be a damn good center forward IMO.
kent how come when afobe and wickham play together for england afobe scores more and is the better player ?
Well i would not say that Afobe is better than him, but Wickham is a target man and Afobe is a fox in the box type of striker think Crouch and Defoe type partnership, but in any case they are both great prospects for club and country and that is all that really matters at the end of the day.
Freeman struggles BIG TIME in the reserves.
For those who didn’t know, Arsenal won the match via penalties, 5-3.
The full-time score was 0-0. Ozyakup scored in the 100th minute before Utd equalize in the 111th minute.
The following penalty takers all score their goals; Ozyakup, Evina, Luke, Afobe and Frimpong. James Shea saved a penalty for Arsenal. We are through to the finals, facing Leicester City or Nottingham Forest.
First of all i would like to thank the guy who put the link to the stream…….thank u mate i really appreciate this game , probablyt the best i ever watched on a youth game, the level was very but very high all the 22 kids on the pitch certainly will be professional somewhere somehow and some will be superstar for sure………talking about the game we could have seen the two different way than MU and arsenal develop their youngsters……MU are more about individual program ,arsenal more about one way to play (the famous arsenal style) well i don’t know which one is better cause the two team were so easy on the pitch (more arsenal than MU) the action was fluid and the players ready in the technique and tactic side of the game even physique…….I can’t talk about all the lads so i will took the best on my opinion.
SHEA: man of the match, great saves, great reflexes,real leader and good reader now i know why he is seaman’s favourite…….i know he never be called by the england youth team ,what a shame!
MIQUEL:future leader of arsenal defense , this spanish kid got everything a modern defender should have, size,technique,strenght,pace,reading….what a player!
FREEMAN:he can cause damage every time he got the ball on his feet, he got a superb control and can play both feet….but he need to be less selfish ,cause apart the assist for ozzy he never passed the ball to afobe…..
and RAVEL MORRISON…..i don’t know why u guys say than he his overrated , have u seen him play? Come on i know he his a mancunian but we can’t ignore all the creativity, the skillz, the tricks,the sublime technique this future england superstar got ….one of my friend form manchester told me than he never seen a mancunian coming form their academy with a natural ability like ravel since paul scholes…..from my point of view since george best….If this lad keep his feet on the floor and gain on maturity he will be a england legend for sure.
With the coming of rodwell,wilshere,morrison,mc eachran and bostock finally england could dominate the midfield against any country .