Arsenal midfielder Oğuzhan Özyakup is set to captain the Dutch Under 17 team during the forthcoming European and World Championship qualifiers, despite being the only Netherlands player not based in his native country.
Özyakup wore the armband for the first time against Germany in a friendly last month, and has now put himself in pole position to keep the job on a full time basis, something the former AZ Alkmaar starlet is enthusiastic about.
“It brings with it a whole new honour. If you’re the captain then you must lead the team and be professional, that’s on and off the pitch.”
“I would love to remain as the captain, but that decision rests with the coach. I am completely focused on my game, and I will play all my matches well – with or without the armband.”
Three goals so far this season show how quickly Oğuzhan has adapted to life in London, with the 16-year-old listing Emmanuel Frimpong – who he lives with – and Mikael Silvestre as key to helping the transition go as smoothly as possible.
“I am enormously happy, but it’s very different to what I had expected”
“In the summer we played together in the Under 16’s, so I already knew Emmanuel. I think it would be great to play with him again this year, that would be really nice”
“The first team players are always great with you, sometimes they even have a little chat. I was using the Gym at the same time as Mikael Silvestre, he was asking how long I had been here, and how I was finding it. It was a really nice conversation.”
Having already gained International experience with the Under 17’s this summer, Özyakup is considered one of the brightest stars in Holland. However, he has his eyes firmly fixed on a starting birth during this years competition, having been used as a sub during the previous campaign.
“It’s always great to come back to the Netherlands, playing for my country is very important to me.”
“I was glad I was with the squad, but in a tournament like this, you want to play. I just want to make the finals this year.”
The tournament promises to be another cracker this year, with Özyakup primed to be the first of many young Gunners to transform excellent Club form onto the International scene.
Article By – J.Sanderson
Ozzy!!! :D I hope Arsenal are looking around over here more often. We have a great generation coming up! Who’s in charge of scouting in Holland?!!
Very much so, I’m really excited about Ozzy, he’s a really mature lad, and a very good footballer.
Certainly looking forward to seeing him again, only got a small glimpse on the big stage last year, and with the games being on Eurosport, all Gooners can watch.
And our Holland scout is called Peter Clarke, he lives and works in Amsterdam.
He should be playing for Turkey FFS
Is it true Oliver Nicholos has joined Man City? I woudn’t think he would be a huge loss with the likes of Bartley and Miquel abour the same age.
I’ve heard that we’re after an Austrian striker named Philipp Prosenik. Apparently he’s born in 1993 and has scored 7 goals in 8 games for Austrias u17s.
has anyone got any pictures of him playing for arsenal except the one where he is with frimpong
irishgunner//
Google?
If he gets good am I going to have to learn how to pronounce his name?
He sounds 100 per cent Turkishh to me.
nice picture
so whats going on with Mputu?
any video clip for this guy
Mputu had a trial with us last year and Wenger decided against signing him.
sorri but, why didnt arsene sign anderson when he was at porto…
im just lookin at him on youtube, and he’s lookin real scary, hes only 19 and look at the size of him..
i think he would be great for arsenal, in my opinion…..quick,strong,good left food,passin ability, shooting ability…and can play all over the midfield…
i can see whats going to happen already..he will take about 3 years to develop and get into the arsenal team, stay with us for 3 or 4 seasons….then move onto a ‘top european club’ like ac milan,barcelona or real madrid
i wonder if walcott will stay at arsenal for life..
how the hell do you get your info???
It is pronounced Oz-jac-oop.
he is the best turkish youth playa