Sebastian Larsson may have left the club in 2007, but the Arsenal Academy product still has an influence. The 26-year-old is offering advice to fellow Swede Kristoffer Olsson, as he begins his career with the Gunners.
Olsson kicks off his second week of training with the club today, following an unlikely transfer from IFK Norrköping. The deal came about after Kristoffer’s agent, Per Jonsson, who also represents Larsson, called Liam Brady to arrange a trial. Brady usually backs away from Swedish talent, but decided to take the youngster on a trial.
After two successful run outs, Olsson has joined the ranks. A keen Manchester United fan, the 16-year-old now pledges his allegiance to Arsenal, and believes he boasts the qualities the club seek in midfielders.
“My first touch is really good, but also my passing game. They say that I’m a “Arsenal type of player”, a little bit like Fabregas and Nasri.” he told Direkt Fotboll.
A chance meeting with Fabregas in the gym made Olsson realise how big the switch to Arsenal is. One player who knows all about working with Cesc, Seb Larsson, will now help to groom a potential successor.
“Seb is going to call me and give me some advice. The ones I’ve talked to here says that they like him very much when he was playing here. They say that I’m a bigger talent than he was at 16, but Seb gave his all always, and that’s why he has succeeded.”
His final word on the club?
“Arsenal feels like a family. There are no divas here, and that suits me perfect, and I will do everything to succeed here.”
Olsson will be part of a new look Under 18 side that kicks off their season against Barnsley.
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Jamie, how highly do you rate the boy? Also, any news on whether Ryo will be with us next season or get farmed out on loan?
Sounds modest and hardworking hope he suceeds…..
I’ve not seen a great deal from him yet, but his former club seem to be very annoyed to have lost him. Looks a good prospect. We’ll have to wait and see on the rest, though.
All I know is that Steve Rowley said last month he expects Ryo will go on loan again.
Brady usually backs away from Swedish talent? lol…really
I think we’ve signed around half a dozen players in this age range over the last 6 months. I guess the hope is in 1 to 3 years they will be ready to challenge for the first team. What would be great is to see 2 to 3 more signings direct for the first team.
Lets wish him d best
Why is Brady not keen to bring in swedish talents? What’s wrong with us? lol
God knows.
We’re crying out for another Freddie Ljungberg.
And to be perfectly honest, I’d rather see Abba as the back four with Bjorn Borg in goal than the current muppets we have.
What does “divas” mean?
English isn’t my first language.
a diva is somebody who is demanding, arrogant, somebody who thinks they should be treated like a king or queen, a similar term is prima donna usually used about celebrities who demand attention and service of other people unfairly… an adebayor/ashley cole.
Who interviewed Olsson?
Seems like a nice guy with the no diva comment and the fact he said he’l do everything to succeed here but also see’s himself as a very good player saying he’s a bit like Fabregas and Nasri, if so, should succeed with ease at Arsenal Football Club.
“Brady usually backs away from Swedish talent,…”, why’s that?
Has he got some bad experience concerning Swedish players?
“seems lime a nice boy” comparing himself with Cesc and Nasri and bragging about how he is better at 16 than the Hughes going too for advice. I won’t be holding my breath.
“why’s that?
Has he got some bad experience concerning Swedish players?”
Probably more just that Sweden doesn’t produce that many good footballers – check out how small they actually are, population-wise. They look good in the weak Swedish league, so we get them over here, try them out, and find that they’re not up to much.
Please note, I’m not saying they don’t produce any good footballers, because that’s obviously not true – just not very many. Now rant about something else :)
Certainly doesn’t lack self confidence…
Swedens population is 9 million and England hasn´t beat us since 1968 in London… You were still champions back then, in black-and-white.
Our league is crap but thats because no one can buy more shares than 49 percent and who wants to own 49 percent and dont control a club as he wish. In the end this may be good for the clubs becuase no one can destroy them and use them like a toy. if you compare our national team with other small countries like Portugal (who has a bigger league with bigger teams) we are a quite decent team with good organsiation and players that understands the game but dont have the skills to win titles… and Arsenal has got a few swedes during the years like Limpar, Schwarz and Ljungberg.
Together with the 49 percent-rule Sweden has high tax rules and the gate reciepts are to small (as an effect of a small population) which means our league cant even compete with the Danish League. But that doesnt mean we dont produce better players than Denmark or Portugal. Will be interesting to see how Rangers vs. Malmö FF in CL-qualification will end. Malmö is current 8 in the league.
We had Nordtveit, Botelho. Botelho seems to to on same way, Nordtveit has proven himself in Bundesliga as a DM, as a CB . guy has got guts cause he chose an almost relegated team Borussia Mongladebach and fought with his team to stay in top flight. He must have developed strong attitude as Mongladbach defeated Bayern Munchen and came home through relegation playoffs. its good to Loan defensive players in Clubs where they will be drilled by the opposition. Maybe not this year or maybe not in year after that but these Three kids Bartley, Botelho and Nordtveit will be a part of top quality defense (when they are 24-25). I wish they are at Arsenal when this happens. ……… To young guns admin … Do we have any buy back clause in case of Nordtveit?
Kartik
We sold Nordtveit last year. He doesnt belong to Arsenal anymore