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A walk on the wild side; not football, just weird
There is an argument that I have had sometimes about whether players who step up from the reserves or who come back from a very long injury period are like “new transfers”.
Personally I do count these as new players – so to my mind apart from the official transfers in from other clubs we had last summer I would say that this season we have also transferred in…
- Wilshere
- Schezney
- Djourou.
All have been at the club for a while – and Djourou had of course started to make an impression before being out for a year with his injury. But no one quite knew how ready they would be this season – and I must admit that even though I have seen Jack play in the reserves and watched him in his loan spell last season I had no idea just how good he was, and how ready he was.
Actually there are some other players who could come into this list of “new” players – but I don’t want to push my luck – three will do.
Which raises the question, who will break through next season – or perhaps even before the end of this season? Who will appear as if they are new transfers?
The point is that while there will be the normal howls of demand for big money transfer, if this year is anything to go by, we’ll have three or maybe even four “new” players stepping up, before we even spend a single penny. Which apart from anything else, with the 25 rule entering its second year means we are going to watch how many players we take on (although of course the younger ones don’t count towards the total.
In terms of the injured there’s Frimpong and Ramsey. Who knows what state Frimpong will be in, and just how good he might be, but since I am only dealing in possibilities he’s on the list. Ramsey is currently playing with Cardiff and according to reports is doing a solid job, just as he did with Nottingham Forest, and is playing the whole 90 minutes.
As for the rest…
Carlos Vela is now on loan at WBA, and his fading away was a real disappointment for most of us. I really thought he was on the ball and ready to roll – especially with his early performances. I’d love to see him come back stronger and at full first team level next season.
Kyle Bartley has utterly amazed me. Did you ever imagine that an Arsenal reserve would go on loan to Rangers and slot straight into their first team. He’s actually playing defensive midfield there – so maybe he will be the backup to Song. I’d give him a fine chance of making it next season
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas is so tantalisingly close, but isn’t quite there. I can’t believe that after all this build up he’s not going to make it, but there must be a chance. The impression I get from the Cardiff reports is that he is trying too hard to be clever rather than play his natural game.
Henri Lansbury scored against Tottenham in the league cup and scored last weekend for Norwich against Reading. Also playing for England under 21, in case you didn’t notice. His brief first team appearance at the end of last season was electric, in my view.
Craig Eastmond is one who I really thought was ready, but he’s not picked for every Millwall game in central midfield. Maybe, maybe not.
Vito Mannone: we all remember his heroics last season against Fulham, but the chopping and changing in the world of goalkeepers this season means I have no idea where he is placed in the hierarchy. He who was fourth is first, as a student of the bible might say.
Sanchez Watt playing against us didn’t look to me like a player about to make the breakthrough.
Benik Afobe couldn’t play for Huddersfield against us, which was a shame. I am sure this guy is going to make it but maybe there’s another year in waiting first.
Mark Randall is with Rotherham United and I guess his time at Arsenal’s level has gone.
Gavin Hoyte ditto – having done it with Brighton he’s now with Lincoln.
Ryo Miyaichi is the superstar Japanese player we signed this year who is now with Feyenoord and who scored on his debut. I have no idea what the work permit situation is, but this guy could be going somewhere special. But another year on loan first?
Gilles Sunu and Francis Coquelin are both in France, and I have always thought both could make it. Sunu is still a year away, but Coquelin could come in next season as a reserve full back if Traore leaves.
Armand Traoré is at Juventus – which is as bizarre as Bartley being at Rangers. But Armand seems to have been injury through most of the season.
Wellington Silva has gone to Levante after his work permit was turned down. I suspect that means two or three years in Spain getting the passport.
Pedro Botelho is playing in the Spanish second division – and as this is his third year in Spain I begin to wonder if it is leading somewhere or not.
Samuel Galindo joined us last summer – he’s a Bolivian who started playing for their national team aged 17. Working his time in Spain to get the permit to play here.
Ignasi Miquel has come up through the Reserves and has been on the bench several times this season. Could he be the other central defender that everyone is wanting? I suspect so.
That’s getting on for 20 players – and I set myself the task of finding three of them who will do what three young players have done this season for us – fit smoothly into the first team.
I am going for Aaron Ramsey as the obvious player to re-enter the team, but I am not counting him since he’ll come back this season. So instead…
- Ignasi Miquel as a central defender
- Kyle Bartley in central midfield
- Carlos Vela to regain his poise and scoring abilty
Outside chance Henri Lansbury as backup to Nasri.
For all the latest on young players try http://younggunsblog.co.uk/
I know its early days yet but I must say that I like the look of Miyaichi – he’s oozing class and personality for one so young…I would add him to Frimpong and Bartley for my three. It must be remembered that these three – along with Jack Wiltshire – have been playing together since the age of 9 or 10! A Frimpong-Wiltshire defensive partnership is especially mouth watering…those two are almost telepathic according to Young Guns…And every so often a player comes along that breaks all the rules (think Cesc)and I think that Miyaichi is in this mould. The ball seems glued to his feet (yes that’s right – he’s 2-footed!) and his turn of pace is like nothing we’ve seen since Henry. He can beat his man inside or outside. He doesn’t knock the ball forward and chase (a la Walcott) – he takes the ball with him like Chippy Brady on steroids! He seems to be able to come to a full stop in the midst of a run; and then zoom! he’s off again…Bloody Road Runner mate..I predict he’s gonna bamboozle defenders and draw lots of fouls in and around the penalty area..And most of all he tackles back! He’s not afraid to get stuck in…can’t wait to get my shirt!
I am always wary of writing players off so early in their career’s as Ian Wright, one of Arsenal’s football legend’s is an example of a late developer. Although, looking at the list of the names in the above article Randall & Traore in particular jump out at me as players past their Arsenal career sell by date. They should of been moved on last year in my opinion.
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I totally agree with Jonny’s post @ 10:01 pm, as its more or less what I think too with the exception of Miquel, who hasn’t shown that he is ready for the tough rigors of the Premiership yet. A loan in league 1 might be best at this stage.
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In my opinion JET hasn’t done anything wrong in the few games that he has played for Cardiff. He is definately going through a tough adjustment period and Cardiff FC is a much more intense place than Doncaster or Blackpool. The quality in the top half of the championship is vastly better than it was a couple of years ago.
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I personally don’t think JET is lazy at all, I would in fact agree with those that say he is trying too hard, as he want’s to use this opportunity to impress. I remember Wiltshire doing the same thing a while ago and I think that once he settles into the team, his performances will improve. I’m guessing that Dave Jones has an agreement with Arsenal to play Ramsey for the full 90 mins each games for match fitness and to take things slowly with JET, as each passing game JET is playing more minutes but is yet to do the whole 90. I think we will see in 5-6 games where JET’s progress is really at.
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I have’nt seen any petulant behaviour on the pitch, but do however think JET needs to mature a bit and recognise that he needs to work on his professional conduct off the pitch, as it matters at a club like Arsenal. Maybe playing with characters like Jay Boothroyd & Craig Bellamy might show him what happens to talented players that have learnt quite late into their career’s the hard way. I always thought RVP would be a good mentor and role model for JET to learn from.
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I am not sure if Bartley will breakthrough to the 1st team next season, but he is getting close. From what I saw during his time at Sheffield, he doesn’t shy away from a challenge, has a cool head on him and passes the ball well under pressure. I think he is best position is in defence, but it is good for us that he is developing his DM game too at Rangers. The Rangers manager Walter Smith was a defender himself and I am told he was a very good one, so Bartley should hopefully learn a lot on loan from him. I will admit that I have and probably never will follow the SPL so won’t have a clue how he gets on over there though, unless someone posts Youtube clips.
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Ultimately I hope JET, Fabianski & Lansbury will be among next year’s ‘new signings’. I also hope Ramsey will regain some form by the end of this season and then this time next year 2012, be the amazing player he looked like he was threatening to turn into last year.
It seems everyone including me likes trying their hand at pulling a Wenger so to speak
Ok so here goes..
Vela: Will not make it for Arsenal or in England.Hasn’t been doing well for WBA either. He’ll be a Reyes like loss. A good talent but not suited to England.
Bartley: Think his future lies at CB. Playing in Rangers in midfield is probably a combination of chance and building his all round play. Should get a chance to impress next season.
JET: Probably not next year. Will be involved in pre season but unless he does something spectacular he’ll probably go on loan again, if nothing else then to prove that he’s willing to work hard.
Lansbury: will be a squad player next year. Maybe at the cost of Denilson.
Eastmond: a tricky one. Coquelin and Frimpong seem ahead of him in the pecking order, but he has more appearences which is suprising in itself. My guess would be loan next year and will make it at Arsenal as a squad player (since he can play RB as well), but no more.
Frimpong: Was supposed to be part of the squad this year, and should be next year as well. Though if Coquelin outperforms him, he may be sent on loan.
Mannone: Good, but will want to leave. Szczesny and Fabiansky to be 1 and 2. One of Shea, Martinez and maybe an older experienced goalie to be 3rd choice, since Almunia will probably go too.
Watt: Has talent but looks unlikely. Won’t be in the team next year.
Afobe: Here I’m going to stop trying to be objective and say that I really really want him to make it with us. Strikers are probably the hardest to predict. He’s been doing well though his finishing at times still needs work. Should make it, but most thought that about Jay Simpson too. Here’s hoping.
Randall, Hoyte, Traore: All gone.
Miyaichi: Think he could make an impact even next year, but probably will stay on loan to further his development. Can replace Arshavin eventually.
Sunu: I don’t know. Mystery as far as I’m concerned.
Coquelin: At the absolute top of my list. This guy really impressed me last year, and consistently playing in Lorient’s team probably gives him the edge over Frimpong initially.
Wellington Silva: Underwhelming so far. Won’t be allowed to play next year anyway in all probability. Loaned out.
Botelho: Could come in. Think there is scope for him to strengthen our left side a bit. Could be used in the cup games as an LB and Left wing, similar to how Eboue was used. Will come in next year.
Galindo: Complete unknown to me. Has potential from what I’ve read but surely not next year.
Miquel: Too early for him. Will be behind Squilacci and Bartley for the CB spot. Will make it in time though. Is tall and has good control on the ball. Can play LB too. Loan next year would be my call.
So to summarize.. Next year
IN:
Bartley, Lansbury, Frimpong, Coquelin, Botelho
Loan:
JET, Afobe, Eastmond, Miyaichi, Galindo, Watt,Sunu?,Miquel? Wellington.
OUT:
Vela, Mannone, Randall, Hoyte, Traore. (Almunia and Denilson maybe)
One player not mentioned is Chuks Aneke. A really big talent in our reserves. Probably will go on loan next year. Will face huge competition for a place in our midfield in any case.
Unlike many guys here who think Vela wont make it, i have a feeling that he will come good and i must say he has not played enough for us this season.I see him as a replacement to Arshavin in 2yrs time.Will he continue to develop and will his audacious chip flourish is to be seen but i really hope he will come good.. And Lansbury to replace to Rosicky and Frimong/Coquelin to to replace Denilson.
IN
Vela
Lansbury
Coquelin.
And i am really looking forward to Ramsey and Diaby to fight for a place in the starting line up.
nice article tony,nice posts but guys stop deluding yourselves, you all think Denilson is as good as gone but not me, remember the Everton(away) game??tottham(carling)?? Here is my point, after leading comfortably Denilson can come and make his 10001passes as we say OLE…i dnt think any of Lansbury or Frimpong can do what he can. As for Vela i hope (and pray) he makes it. To me he being effectively performing can go toe-to-toe with RvP, he is QUALITY, #Chip-it-like-…
Rant over
my 3 are Frimpong (such a destroyer and his combi with Jack,hmmm…)
Ramsey(get fit and…boooom RAMBO)
Vela
There’s a few on that list who clearly never had a chance if you’re not giving them a chance this summer: Eastmond, Lansbury and Emmanuel-Thomas the principal three.
I never saw Eastmond play badly for Arsenal but he was always dropped after one game. Quite why, you’d better ask Wenger. I knew all the talk about Emmanuel-Thomas would end up as hot air: knew it. He’s not had a chance either.
Lansbury might just make it. Scandal if he’s not given a fair chance. I’d lay the chances of him getting it at less than 50:50. I’d advise him to find the most brutal and ferocious sports lawyer in the world to ensure he’s allowed to play for a top Premier League side if anyone tries to stop him……..
I think Lansbury is a shoe in for the 1st team squad next season. Him, along with bartley, Coquelin, Ramsey & Frimpong.