Arsenal name big squad for the ‘Youth Champions League’
Arsenal Announce NextGen Squad by AH
Arsenal have announced their 32 man squad, that will take place in this season’s NextGen Competition, which is the new Europe-wide competition for Under 19′s, which by rights Arsenal should do very well in considering the wealth of young talent at our disposal!
The full Arsenal 32-man squad is; Goalkeepers: Reice Charles-Cook and Josh Vickers
Defenders: Zach Fagan, Elton Monteiro, Sead Hajrovic, Leander Siemann, Martin Angha, Arinse Uade, Tom Dallison, Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill, Samir Bihmoutine, Hector Bellerin and Kyle Ebecilio
Midfielders: Nico Yennaris, Isaac Hayden, Jordan Wynter, Kris Olsson, Jon Toral, Jack Jebb, Josh Rees, Thomas Eisfeld, Serge Gnabry and Chuks Aneke
Forwards: Phillip Roberts, Nigel Neita, Alfred Mugabo, Tarum Dawkins, Anthony Jeffrey, Chuba Akpom, Austin Lipman, Zak Ansah and Benik Afobe
Benik Afobe has been included in the squad (which is massive) but as he has now been loaned out to Bolton he is very unlikely to figure. Likewise there are players like Yennaris, Gnabry, Aneke and Eisfeld who may yet be sent out on loan so perhaps Arsenal are just covering their backs by naming as many players as possible?
It’s a pretty strong Youth team and there are certainly some players to look out for during the tournament.
Some of the team may even feature in the early Capital Cup games (formally known as Carling Cup) and the early FA Cup games.
One name that is not on the list is young goalkeeper Damien Martinez. The Argentine plays in a lot of reserve matches and he seems to have cemented a place in the reserve team which is for mostly U21 players. He also spent part of last season out on loan to Oxford United, but it seems like the club has bigger plans for him this season. It’s likely that he will go out on a season-long as well if Wenger deems him fit.
Terry Burton, who will be picking the team, is looking forward to the challenge of playing against some of Europes finest youngsters in the series. He said: “It is a very good competition; the organisers have done really well,”
“It is well organised and teams field their best players within the age group.
“You’re testing yourself against the best players, against big clubs and you get different styles, different shapes and different problems to deal with.
“That’s what it’s all about; players need feedback, that’s how they learn. It should help prepare the players in a small way for European football in the future.”
Arsenal will play Athletico Bilbao, Marseille and Olympiacos in the group stages, so the ‘Young Guns’ will certainly have a tough challenge to reach the knockout stages of the competition, or perhaps they could beat Barcelona in the Final…..
Arsenal’s first fixture is on the 29th of August against Marseille, and all home matches will be played at Barnet’s Underhill Stadium. It may be worth going over and seeing some of Arsenal’s future stars in action…..
Want to see Serge Gnabry, Eisfield and Aneke in action they’re going to be future stars for Arsenal.
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
46 
1
I went to school with Tarum Dawkins, my claim to fame
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
29 
4
Eisfeld should play in first squad
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
41 
1
Kyle ebicillio is a midfielder not a defender
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
16 
0
And isaac Hayden usually plays center back
Rate this comment:
8 
0
Does anyone know if it will be televised? Thanks
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
13 
1
Eisfeld should be promoted to first team..
i am sure wenger has some plans regarding this situation..
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
13 
0
It wil be interesting to see the young guns in action. I hope it is televised though.
Rate this comment:
4 
0
I just want to see Wolcott race Bolt.
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
16 
1
Watched some videos of Jon toral and he looks like a wonderful talent. He is my player to watch
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
11 
1
@Galen
I saw Toral play last season and he looks quality. Reminds me alot of frank lampard late runs into the box a real talent! Gnarby and toral and eisfeld are future stars!!
Rate this comment:
9 
1
Would rather see players that are one step away from first team action be on loan to a lower Premier League team, would give them the much needed experience. But for the rest this is a good place to showcase their skills.
Rate this comment:
4 
0
Aneke and Afobe are my two favourite players in the reserve. I went to the same secondary school as Afobe and this guy is a goal-scoring machine. I really hope that he and Aneke break into the squad this or next season.
Rate this comment:
1 
2
Eisfeld is quality, regarded even higher than Goetze when they were in reserves at Borussia Dortmund!! Such a shame he was Badly injured an then almost forgotten about. Another piece of shrewd bargaining from le proffesseur. More than a future star, future legend!
Rate this comment:
3 
2
Where is intelligent welngton silva???
Rate this comment:
1 
1
Bringing Eisfeld wud be welcomed to our first squad…
Rate this comment:
0 
0
Will this be on TV?
Rate this comment:
0 
0
can’t wait to see kris olsson, jon toral, hector bellerin, segre gnarby, thomas eisfeld, benik afobe and chuks aneke. shame damien martinez isn’t in the squad … would’ve liked him see him play
Rate this comment:
1 
0
@ jk what do you make of kris ollson and hector bellerin?
Rate this comment:
0 
0