Jay Emmanuel-Thomas is Young Guns Player Of The Month for September 2008 after the leggy youngster helped guide Steve Bould’s Under 18’s through a tricky spell and straight to the top of the League.
The month began on the 1st of September with a place on the bench for the Reserves opener against Chelsea, although he did not get onto the pitch as Banfield’s boys slipped to a 3-2 defeat. Just 5 days later Jay made up for the defeat by captaining the Under 18’s to a 4-0 romp over Bristol City, maintaining the great form from last season.
Sandwiched in between his matches for Arsenal was a substitute appearance for the England Under 19 team, but it was team mate Rhys Murphy who stole all the credit that evening.
A further game during a behind closed doors fixture at Fulham built his confidence, before Thomas flicked home the opener in a 1-1 draw at Coventry days later. Another goal would arrive during the next encounter at Reading, all leading up to a Reserves start at Underhill with the Champions Aston Villa in town.
In all fairness he did have an absolute nightmare all night, but his previous excellent form warranted the award. There are still some attitude issues which need to be resolved with Jay, yet he is proving an important addition as the new scholars find their feet.
Article By – J.Sanderson
I’d have thought Jack Wilshere would have got it, making the step up to Premier League football and then scoring in the Carling Cup, but it’s your choice, I guess Jay Thomas has played a lot more during the month.
Well done Jay!
http://www.arsene-al.co.uk
there’s just too many emmanuels at arsenal. maybe platini might want to look into this now.
@ rosicknote
hehe :D 1-0 to you ;)
He’s shit. Won’t make it.
i’m a big fan of jay thomas, he has a great future. He’s got all the attributes to make it in this team as long as he keeps it up and keeps a level head then he should do well.
Sounds like he had good month although the two games i saw him play in i thought he was really poor against villa and in the reading under 18s game despite playing well his attitude was terrible especially in the first half.
@ Paulinho
Why did you say he’s shit please explain
I cant believe some of the comments I’m reading, the boys destined for great things. Powers through people with the ball at his feet, moves the ball around nicely and looks dominant whenever I’ve seen him play. Admittedly he had a shocker against Villa but they all did.
Fully deserved, good choice J
I have mixed feelings about him. He’s young and has played pre-season. I would say he’s similar to Diaby.
In the Arsenal mag he acknowledged that he needs to work better tactically and positionally by stating his weakness is tracking runners. If he sorts this side of his game there is no doubt he can make it in the Prem and maybe Arsenal.
Well after his slack performance against Aston Villa the other day i cannot see how he deserves such an award IMO
Rui Fonte for the award i thought
J and “The Brain” my domain has changed temporarily
to http://www.themostbeautifulgame.co.nr/ for the LINKS
Thanks
Sanderson do you think that the three arsenal boys in the u 16s team will start tomorrow? Also the u 17s squad has just been named and wilshere will obviously start but what about frimpong and freeman do you think they will come off the bench or start aswell?
we cannot say for sure whether anyone of these guys will make it at Arsenal let alone be a consistent 1st team member…although many do have the “potential”, which is a very easy word to throw around!
Potential means nothing if it is not combined with luck + hard work, just take a look at Aliadiere!
We should keep our fingers crossed and hope we get 3-4 breakthroughs in the next 2/3 years as that would be an amazing return from the youth academy by any standards.
traore is having a shocker for popmy in the uefa cup…
im questioning his first touch, dribbling, and ability to run at defenders…..he also cant come into the inside onto his right foot…
he has a lot of work 2
Traore was good against spurs but he does need some work thou but thats why he’s at pompey
seriously i rate traore highly but i dnt think hes gna be at arsenal in the next 3 yrs unless he fixes up big time rle n trully he was poor for pompy today his first touch shit, crossin, dribbling needs big improvement
A mate whose a Pompey fan said he was pleased with Armand, they call him “the Almond”. Reckon the deal was best for both clubs and they reckon he has a bright future, last night was probably a one off. Every time I’ve seen him for Pompey he’s looked bright and a real threat down their left side.
FAO Karl – How do you expect Sanderson to know which Arsenal players will start for the under 16s and U17s? The u17s are very strong with Bostock and Wilshire who played for them last year and therefore will start, and Jonjo Shelvey the star of the u16s last year and Frimpong. Not sure if they can fit them all in but it’s possible.
Ok firstly id like to say i watch all the Villa game and nearly every1 was shit in that, some came out ok but most didnt, none of the players should be judged on that performance since the whole side are to blame.
Thomas is a brilliant prospect, hes versatile, athletic, technically gifted and on his day will make things happen. He needs a bit more consistancy but i think he can make it at the club (although its not a certainty). I dont understand why some ppl seem to hate him so much, i cant see how it can be about his ability since hes had more good performances than bad and is undoubtably one of the likely lads as far as having a future with the club is concerned.
LSOE I didnt think sanderson knew for sure i asked if he THOUGHT they would.
I think Thomas can be our O’shea. Comfertble on the wings, in the centre, in the defence or at the backs.
And on the u17 team, the english u17 looks really exiting with Bostock, Wilshere, Shelvey (allready starting in the CC, then there is the Leeds right back Aiden something.. and the burnley player who debuted in Championship at the age of 15.. he gotta be able to play for u17 right?
Jay Thomas is a jack of all trades but master of none tyoe of a football player IMO
@ BooMeR
That’s a insult to Thomas himself
@ BooMeR
That’s a insult to Thomas himself
john o’shea is a underrated player by most fans.. and Thomas, most youngsters actually, would be lucky to have a career like O’shea..
and for the record, I hate Man Utd..
England U16s 1-0 up Afobe.
How did the u16 game finish?
I don’t think Thomas will ever be a regular for us, I just think we’re over rating these players too highly. I don’t even think Randall or Lansbury can become players who’ll lead us to Champions League glory in a few years, perhaps squad players. I think Thomas is with a batch of players (Hoyte, Bartley, Murphy) who’ll make a living out of the game, but not with us long term. As much as I’d like them all to, I see players like Frimpong, Wilshere and perhaps Gibbs out of the current lot who’ll become first team regulars with us.
http://www.arsene-al.co.uk
Hasn’t finished yet mate.
Well taken goal from Benik. :)
Finished now?
I cant really tell how good Louis Laing of sunderland is defensively because NI’s attacks are almost non existence but he has to be the best ball distributor CB that i have seen in the U16 age group in long long time, really fabulous passing range and very composed.
Afobe with 2 very composed finish
England U16’s beat the Northern Ireland U16’s team 6-0 nil on the night with Arsenal’s Benik Afobe scoring 2 goals and then Evertons Ross Barkley, Manchester United’s Ra’vel Morrison, Middlesbourgh’s Jake Fowler all getting a goal each and also a Northen Ireland football player scored an own goal to complete the 6-0 nil score line tonight, and to be perfectly honest since i have been watching the Schoolboy Victory Shield tournament on Sky Sports which has been for over ten years this is the most complete team i have seen and given the fact that this was the first time that theses players have ever played together makes the score line even more impressive IMO
Were there any other Arsenal players?
Chuks Aneke and Josh Rees.Aneke was played out of position and struggled and Josh Rees looks like he will be a c/m player in the future.
Is Aneke one of those 14/15 year olds that ‘has nothing to learn technically’?
well aneke is out for the year anyways.. but its between the three: Zach Ansah, Afobe and Aneke i guess.
Yes Aneke and Afobe.
England played well and looked good technically which isn’t usually the case, even moreso at this level.
I would like to see this team against a strong opponent to see how they do.
It could also be Callum Webb or Samir Carruthers.
well, he was according to this site, but I see nwo that he started the match for england so what the hell J? :P
wen wenger said a couple of players had nothin 2 learn technically he didnt necessarily mean only 2 he meant at least 2 with others either there or nt too far off
Maybe it was Jason Banton who has ‘nothing to learn technically’ ;). Just trying to make a point to say that their careers can’t be taken for granted.