Young Guns – Arsenal Reserves & Youth News

Exciting goal poacher Zak Ansah burst onto the scene last year – virtually bypassing Under 16′s football – to help Steve Bould’s Under 18′s finish the season with a flourish.

Ansah was handed his chance after Benik Afobe’s promotion to the Under 18′s but it wouldn’t be long before the free-scoring prospect joined Benik in the Academy League. He quickly found his feet for Steve Gatting’s Under 16′s scoring almost a goal-a-game and he was quickly promoted again.

Zak made his debut against Fulham Under 18′s in a 5-1 romp and was then handed a start in the very next fixture – away to Birmingham. He walked away with a classy brace as a youthful XI crushed the Midlanders. His performances led to him being the youngest player ever to win Young Guns’ Player of the Month award in April.

He is the son of retired midfielder Andy Ansah who turned out for a handful of club’s, most notably Southend. Andy was recently a judge on Sky One’s Wayne Rooney Street Striker, so he knows a lethal marksman when he see’s one.

Zak followed Afobe’s footsteps in being made full time at London Colney whilst still a schoolboy – showing just how highly he’s rated. His raw power and pace make him a deadly proposition but he still lacks a little technically and can improve in the air. That said, the next 12 months will be very interesting indeed in his development.

Name: Zak Ansah
Nickname: ‘Wavy’
Age: 15
Nationality: English
International: No
Position: Striker
Height: 170cm
Previous Clubs: None
Contract: Schoolboy