Gilles Sunu

Highly rated forward Gilles Sunu joined the Gunners French minnows Chateauroux in July 2007 having agreed the move 6 months previously.

Sunu comes from a football family – his father Manu represented Togo – and many believe the powerful striker can become as big a star as former captain Thierry Henry. After rising through the ranks at Chateauroux, Barcelona, AC Milan, Chelsea, Manchester United, Lyon and Arsenal were all tracking him, but in French scout Gilles Grimandi the Gunners jumped the queue.

He was invited to the traditional tournament in Atalanta, and put in several hard-working and physical displays. To get a final glimpse at Sunu, Arsenal arranged a friendly with Chateauroux with the striker bagging two goals. This prompted negotiations between the sides, and despite interest from the above club’s, a deal was agreed in the region of £2 million. His former chairman described him as a player with ‘huge potential’ and the ‘New Thierry Henry’.

Gilles arrived in England nursing a knee problem which seemed to get worse as the campaign progressed. He missed large spells of the season with the issue, and with Steve Bould having a striker crisis, he was forced to play with pain killing injections. As the year drew to a close he shook off all the injury problems and began to show just why he merited such a huge price tag. He relished Reserve team level fixtures and turned in great performances against Tottenham and Derby. The latter of the games brought his first goal – an elegant turn capped off with a powerful drive. He signed professional forms just days later.

He completed the campaign in fine form and won a place in France’s Under 17 squad for the European Championships. After his goals helped get them there, he was an ever-presented as they reached the final.

The 2008-2009 season brought the best from Gilles. Steve Bould transformed the frontman from striker to winger – where he thrived. He found his confidence, and looked the part with the weight of being charged as the man to get the goals firmly off his back. Man Of The Match performances at West Ham and Chelsea earned the plaudits of his manager and fans alike.

A handful of Under 18 fixtures saw a steady trickle of goals, but the F.A Youth Cup clash with Wolves brought his big moment. With Rhys Murphy injured in the opening stages of the game, Sunu came on with the scores at 0-0. He exploded into life and hit a stunning hat-trick to send his side into round three. He led the line against Sunderland, Tottenham and Manchester City with the latter being on the end of another slick finish from the Frenchman.

‘Gilou’s’ completed the season with 11 goals in all competitions and the Premier Academy League and F.A Youth Cup trophies. Lyon were then linked with a swoop for him yet he remained at the club during the summer of 2009.