Two Arsenal youngsters to go on loan
Newly appointed Colchester boss, Joe Dunne, has made short work in shaping the U’s squad with the speedy signatures of a Gunner duo. Arsenal’s Craig Eastmond and Sanchez Watt have both signed on for Colchester on a three-month loan deal. Dunne has spared no time in securing the loan deals having been appointed as manager on Thursday morning. The Arsenal duo agreed to the loan deal within the first 24 hours of their new manager’s appointment as head coach.
Midfielder Eastmond and striker Watt, both 21, have each enjoyed first-team action for the Gunners and also benefited from loan spells away from the Emirates and will be eager to kick start their careers with a successful loan spell with the U’s.
Speaking to Colchester’s official website, Eastmond was quoted as saying, “The first thing I heard about the move was through my agent and he said Colchester United were one of a few clubs interested. I just want to play games so I said yes to it and I’m looking forward to the new challenge.”
Whilst Watt added, “It felt good to be training here and the lads made me feel relaxed and welcome. It looks like the manager plays the same formation as I’m used to so it should be good for me.
“I want to fight for my position in the team, keep my place if I get it and do well for the club and for myself. Hopefully, we can play well, pass the ball around, score some goals and push up the table.’
Both players have great potential and the coaching set up at Arsenal is fantastic but it is sometimes better to experience proper competitive football as it gives the players something different.
We wish them all the best.








i don’t see them making their way in to the first team, both are 21 already. ramsey, ox, wilshere are younger or as old and have played for quite some time now.
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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@BG gunner
You will get alot of hate for saying what you said but i have to agree to an extent! Maybe Eastmond has a small chance but Watt has to leave, if Lansbury was sold (who i believe is better then both of these two lads) then clearly they are just stalling the ineveitable
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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I agree with first two. Look at all the talents that make it, OX, theo, wilshire, ramsey, gibbs, coqulain, cesc and others. and now wenger is tipping 17 year old gnabry to play this season. Granted there are players who are late bloomers, just look at koss and giroud, they were lower league until they were 22ish not to mention Ian wright but its rare. If they were good enough to play for us they would have played before they turned 20. sorry lads
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you never know who is going to spark at what point of his carrier…we have seen this on many occasions…but since we have more than enough fire power i see them both going…
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Eastmonk not precisely top top. But good lucks! Come back when top top
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All the best.
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Eastmond has an outside shot of making it.
I honestly thought we sold Watt to Sheffield Wednesday last summer.
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If they are already 21, well, I wouldn’t consider them as youngsters but you never know what will happen to them in the future.
Nonetheless, all the best to these two and come back as a better player
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Eastmond is currently behind arteta coquelin frimpong yennaris even if those 4 were unavailable i believe that wilshire diaby ramsey or even djourou kpscielny or vermaelen are more likely to ay DM.
watt is behind giroud walcott podolski gervinho chamakh arshavin bendtner park afobe and campbell. i also think that chqmberlain and cazorla would be chosen ahead of him as a striker.
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I wouldn’t write any arsenal player off cos some are late developers . At least they actually want to play football and earn their wages – hang ur head in shame squillaci !!! The competition with the arsenal younger players is likely the highest in the world and wish them all the best !!!
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So many young lads in the squad who are better than they are,quite a pity everybody can’t breakthrough to the first team.All the best to the both of you and I hope you impress enough with what you’ve learnt at Arsenal so that you can remain there…….COYG
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BFlaps …. Who are you, Harry Redknapp? Quit with the Top Tops.
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21 is dinosaurs in the AFC youth academy.
You should have played at least 2 seasons in the first team by now if you were any good!
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Hope they come back a star
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Nothing wrong with putting them in the shop window. It’s not about them being old at 21, it’s more about them needing to be registered at 21 in the 25-man squad. They’re not registered so they can’t play for Arsenal anyway. Arsene doesn’t want to take up valuable squad places with players who are not in his long-term plans but he also doesn’t want them languishing in the reserves so potential buyers forget about them.
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