Welcome to the second in the series of Young Guns’ profiles and analysis into which Arsenal youngsters could make it big during the New Year.
Manager Arsène Wenger has already said he is delighted that 2008 is over, and with 2009 just days old, we give you a taster of just who could force their way into his plans during the coming months.
Last years article included the likes of Carlos Vela, Jack Wilshere, Benik Afobe and Nacer Barazite. You can see part one below, with the second part coming shortly.
9. Jay Simpson – 20 – Striker
Jay Simpson’s Arsenal career has been one of ups and downs. 2009 will see Jay join West Bromwich Albion on loan until the end of the season, where he will finally answer all the questions surrounding his abilities.
We all know what a top player Simpson can be, but can he cut it at the highest level? in the coming months will find out. The 20-year-old has hit the big time a little late, but his new contract shows that Arsène Wenger is willing to be patient with the versatile forward.
Jay finds himself in this list because we believe he will answer the questions and prove himself as a top marksman.
8. Pedro Botelho – 19 – Left Back
Brazilian Pedro Botelho features in the list for the second time in two years. 2009 will see him complete the campaign as a regular with promotion chasing UD Salamanca, before finally linking up with the Gunners in August.
A tricky, pacy, elegant and skillful left footed winger, Botelho recently celebrated his 19th birthday. He will go head to head with Kieran Gibbs, Armand Traore and Gael Clichy for a place at left back, but Pedro boasts the ability to play all over the midfield.
It will certainly be interesting to see where and how he fits into Wenger’s plans, and if he can overcome a slight lack of professionalism to show off his amazing talents.
7. Sean McDermott – 15 – Goalkeeper
Promising Irish Under 16 international goalkeeper Sean McDermott is a new signing who will join up with his new employers in August.
McDermott is one of the most highly rated young stoppers in Europe, and has already trialed with a host of top flight clubs. Born in Norway, Sean chose to play for Ireland through his father where he caught the attention of Youth Development officer Liam Brady.
After two trials, Arsenal fought of interest from Tottenham, Man Utd and Leeds Utd for his signature. Sean’s excellent reflexes and mature attitude will see him complement an Under 18 defence full of talent – in a position which James Shea has failed to take command of.
How the exciting prospect adapts to life in England will be crucial in his development, but Young Guns is tipping Sean to be a massive hit in the future.
6. Benik Afobe – 15 – Striker
Benik has already shown himself as a massive prospect for the future since being highlighted as a youngster to watch last year.
A year on – he has continued his role with the Under 16’s, with the now skipper helping win the Zinedine Zidane Tournament last summer. Afobe has also pushed himself into the Under 18’s, with two goals from three starts this campaign.
2009 has seen Benny aim for a first team place, and whilst that seems a little far fetched for the free scoring young man, Reserve team appearences are certain to follow.
Article By – J.Sanderson
OOO exciting when is part 2
What is Jay Simpson doing on the list.
Brilliant stuff mate. McDermott and Afobe are ones to watch!
Don’t hold me to it, but probably tomorrow – same time. If not tomorrow then certainly Wednesday.
Brought this forward because I planned on doing a Match Report tonight.
I hope Howie is on the list :D
Haha, you’ll have to wait and see :)
“What is Jay Simpson doing on the list.”
Haven’t you forgotten that Ian Wright was also a late developer? I wouldn’t be so quick to write him off.
exellent.just got on setanta so i have arsenal tv which means i can now watch the reserves live.ohh yeah.they are playing west brom now
Simpson is average. Hes not shit hes not amazing.
If Coquelin ain’t in there jamie im going to be maaaaaaaaad!
I am a big fan of Havard. I see the next generation of CD in him and Johan Djourou. I am looking forward to see him in action in the first team. We have only just five available defenders: Sagna, Djourou, Gallas, Clichy and Gibbs. But a plus injury??? :DD Ok, I don’t want to be an anti-Gunner :DD
what time does the reserves game start? all i have is Alan Davies talking about his all time XI!
what.its postponed
The game has been called off guys
If Both Coquelin and Sunu aren’t in there i too will go mad!!! lol
Hope we see Luke Freeman….
its a great jamie. my winner is francis! he have been only half year here but it was fantastic! i wait for the next!
Are you including Wilshere ramsey and Vela in the list as they are 1st teamers
Don’t be to fast to judge Jay Simpson I tell ya. He can turn out to be a very good player. Let’s see how he does at West Brom.
The same here… Coquelin.. he is the man. No really….he is the man.
Allo these clueless twats writing off young players! Simpson may well make it at Arsenal. Not every young player is an effin world beater at 16 you pricks!
wilshere 1
vela 2
ramsey 3
barazite 4
Arsenal should promote Bischoff,Coquelin,Merida, and Mark Randall to the first team ESPECIALLY SINCE SOME OF THE OTHER GOOD PLAYERS ARE ON LOAN.
i have to say when i read about other teams youth players they only seem to have 2 or 3 really promising players who could make it but we seem to have 4 or 5 in each age group.
ozyakup has to be in the top 5 he seems a real prospect!
what about jay emmanuel thomas and ryhs murphy
Oh the tension. . . Its unbearable :-) Well done Jay. Look forward to the top 5. I like the whole ‘Top 9’ thing too. Always the non conformist! And good work on the wilshere piece. Heard it here first
NORDTVEIT!!!!!!!!!!!!1111111111
Zak Ansah and Igansi Miquel will be in there I bet.
Francis Coquelin , Ignasi Miquel , jay thomas an frimgpong
Great job JS. It’s fun to look back at last year’s list and see what was written then. You said that this term Wilshere would be a regular in the reserves and might even break into the CC “squad”. That I think was a very good evaluation at that point as nobody knew what was to come. A year we didn’t know if he would have played in the first team by now so imagine where he could be when you make your next list. I’m guessing he will be starting half of the games in 12 months time.
As for the top, Coquelin must surely be there along with Nordveit. Perhaps Charlie Mann, Lansbury, Barazite or Gavin Hoyte. Well, looking forward to seeing your pick.
guys’ its only part 1
fran merida!!!!!! and rui fonte… better prospects than simpson! simpson is nearly the same age as fabregas and nasri’s, olde than Walcott!
always exciting getting your updates, player profiles and such. Especially since I don’t have Arsenal TV, it gives me ways to stay updated. Wonderful work!
I love to see Merida on the top list, if he can get more matches under his belt, he can be as good as Fabregas.
J, could you please enlighten me on why Pedro Botelho has a “slight lack of professionalism”?
Sorry to be of topic, but does anyone kno if we are selling kolo toure???…
this is what i just read neway…
– Rumours at the weekend that were rife suggesting that Kolo Toure was being sold appear to have gained a bit of credibility this morning after some sources confirm that he was seen clearing his locker and saying goodbye to acquaintances and members of staff.
If this is really true, and all transfer rumours carry a health warning until officially confirmed by the club, then this would end a six and a half year love affair that saw him transformed from a “Crazy Dog” midfielder to one of the best centre backs that I have seen play for the Arsenal.
Up until his summer bout of Malaria, he was a mainstay in our back four.
Whether it be Manchester City or a team in France, if these rumours are true where ever he next chooses to play his football. He can always be guaranteed a warm welcome back here at the Emirates.
Kolo Toure, an Arsenal Legend, we salute you!
Yesterday I watched the replay of the Southampton – Man. Utd. game and I saw the likes of Welbeck, Anderson, Nani, Possebon (adding Rafael) with wich Arsenal`s crop of kinds can`t match. If we take the fact that Man. Utd. has no trophyless seasons we must ask ourselves is Arsenal on a right way??? I`m personally very upset of our situation (another year without a trophy) and I simply cannot see better things coming with all our players wanting to leave.
P Dot, they appear to be just rumours at this stage although i do find it interesting that Man City have reportedly tabled a $24m offer to Barca.
The 2 brothers at City………hmmmm.
J, can you tell us more about Mc Dermott??
I hope Arsenal will be Premiership champion in 2009.
i think last year list is better, but i should wait for the second part of the article.
CONOR HENDERSON HAS SIGNED PRO TERMS.
J., great update. Please tell me, are these players who may step up at various levels? As Afobe for example may get a chance at reserves. Or is this more a long term list of players that will make great development and show their prospect. Are these players you see as ready to step up, or a general list?
And I am curious if any South American can soon be sent to Salamanca, and be added to that list. Cant be Conte and Wellington. The good thing this time around is that news are not leaked and jeopardizing the transfers, like with Nasri. Even though its torture. Looking forward to saying “who the f… is that (?)” in a few days; asking why wenger did not buy a star; before realizing, despite a great track record on football manager ( :-) ), that Wenger is where he is for a reason and my manager application belongs nowhere else than the garbage and I can enjoy whisky and cigars towards the end of a promising season
I don’t know why wordpress blocks a person if they are too contraversial even though they follow the rules.
seemingly denilson is in lancashire for a move to bolton
“Yesterday I watched the replay of the Southampton – Man. Utd. game and I saw the likes of Welbeck, Anderson, Nani, Possebon (adding Rafael) with wich Arsenal`s crop of kinds can`t match”
rationalist – no easy way to see this, but you’re an idiot. these don’t compare??
wilshere, vela, walcott, ramsey, bentdner, denilson, djourou, traore
and those are just the ones we KNOW are going to make it or already have.
kids? anderson is 1 yr younger than cesc. wellbeck, older than jack. nani – walcott, who’s done more?
all of them together – home grown or bought – cost just a little more than anderson..
stop being so down on arsenal and defeatist – have a good look at what we have coming through, or go support someone else, manu in fact seeing as you seem to love their young’uns so much.
not our denilson the otha one
i agree with nirgoon.
in two years man utd won’t have giggs, scholes, ronaldo and these young players will be first teamers. by that time our first team who have similar ages will be far more mature and better players and we will still have a long list of talents coming through behind them so don’t think man utd are better off then us because they spent 18m on anderson who has not scored a goal for man utd and has set up like 3 goals since being there and we have spent 3m on denilson and he has better stats then that just this season and he is one of our worst players apparently.
The is my first post, great website everyone agrees. just seen that were meant to be in talks with arshavin again, do you lot think this will go through because i’d doubt arsene would spend anymore then £10m during this window
Plus whats happening with Amaury Bischoff? as thought he was on a 1 year deal? also he seems to be used as an attacking midfielder but hasnt been anywhere near the first team even with Cesc being injured
just testing..
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Here part two :)
http://youngguns.wordpress.com/2009/01/06/top-9-arsenal-youngsters-to-watch-in-2009-part-2/
Sean McDermott is still waiting for a confirmed paper-deal. He’s only been told that his deal is there for him when he turns 16 in May. His agent Jim Solbakken is doing this job just like it fits for him, and always delays things as I’ve noticed.
I think there’s a big chance for him to sign though, but as said nothing can be confirmed yet. But I think Arsenal will be up for it, and I know Sean wants to go Arsenal, a good choice for an originally Leeds-supporter.
He’s a fantastic keeper for his age, he’s football-smart, good physically, talks good and is good with his feets. Also of course good reflexes and some incredible saves etc. I believe he has what it takes! In Arsenal? Maybe:)
thank you very much
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Mc Dermott’s gonna have to develope a much better leap, or he’ll never make it at the highest level. He is a good keeper but has zero spring, unless he developes that, a club like arsenal won’t offer him pro terms