17-year-old academy projects give Arteta something to think about
Mikel Arteta and his squad walked away winners against Manchester United in our second game of the USA pre-season tour. After drawing against Bournemouth and then winning in penalties, Arsenal went on to take a 2-1 win over rivals Manchester United in Los Angeles last night and once again, the younger lads in the squad have given Arteta something to think about after another quality performance from our academy projects.
In the game against Bournemouth, 17-year-old Ayden Heaven got to play 63 minutes of first team football at centre back alongside Jurrien Timber and had an extremely impressive game. Seeing quite a lot of the ball and making crucial challenges that caught my eye. Obviously, Arsenal’s defence is loaded at the moment and breaking into the first team seems almost impossible from a defender’s perspective, but it does give us another option in squad depth and for a young man to hold his own, the way he did, was impressive and could be one for the future.
Ethan Nwaneri is a name that many would have heard of before with his great form for Arsenal’s under-21s team and for England’s U17s side. He has been in incredible form and always seems to find the back of the net. Having a solid game against Bournemouth and then getting an assist against Manchester United and proving that he’s more than good enough to have a shot in the first team. He may be young, be he certainly knows how to play football and could be a great option for our midfield this season, giving Arteta more to think about and more options for squad depth.
<strong>Arteta said about Ethan Nwaneri’s display:
It’s always in the hands of the players, so show what you can do. Show that ambition, that determination, that quality and things will happen naturally. Tomorrow he’s going to train with us again and if he continues to play like that he’s going to play some minutes on Wednesday for sure.
And finally, Lewis Myles-Skelly, another 17-year-old who has been in great form for the U21s, he’s another name that seems to always be around the goals and assists and managed to assist Martinelli’s winning goal again Manchester United. He only played 27 minutes but completed 100% of his passes and set up the winning goal. For a young lad, he looked confident and eager to play, he didn’t shy away from the game and looked natural while on the ball.
This gives Arteta a bit of a headache as they continue to show they look ready, pre-season is always a great chance for younger talents to show their worth and take a shot at being in the first team, but because Arsenal have such a good group of players, it can be hard to break through, but with a busy preseason ahead, with Liverpool vs Arsenal on Thursday before flying back for the Emirates Cup next weekend. There will be plenty of “you never knows”, we could see a few of these talents get game time this season, or get the chance to go on loan and improve their games.
Either way, they’ve been exciting and a joy to watch so far.
The lads looks good. Pity Walters decided to leave he would have enough opportunity to show case himself.
He didn’t leave. Mikel “malnourished him football game time” what else could he do? Stay and be a benchwarmer for another successive 3rd season? Hell nah! And this goes to all our other youngsters that decided to leave, kudos to them 👏 , Palmer has opened a new gateway for young talents to take themselves more serious and leave to gain experience football elsewhere, no use staying at a successful club while not getting any gametime.. >> Ceballos,Diaz (Madrid) just like Walters, Duberry & the others. Bounce lads we wish em gl 💪
So he left then Sthembiso? 🤔
All the youngsters have been fantastic during this pre-season. Not even one of them is shy. The club must plan carefully for them and make sure they have loans in clubs where they can play regularly and develop their game instead of staying with the club and just getting minutes.
All of them can get into the first team. But with an Arsenal vying for the title, it could be hard. Let’s be realistic and look for opportunities that can get them more prepared for the future. They must be guaranteed playing wherever they go for loans
Nwaneri looked perfect to be Odegaard’s understudy. I hope he won’t leave us three years later
They were very good. Ethan in particular, i think will make it to the first team sooner than others. His left footedness is an added boost, if we are to consider Mikel’s preference in both attacking midfield spots. I know Declan also plays there, but keen observation on how he operates shows he’d rather attack towards the bye line than in an attempt to cross with his left foot, rather than cut back and make diagonal cross or take a shot on goal himself. Granit,Fabio and Kai have been prefered there over the past two seasons with the latter two struggling to play there since Granit’s departure. I hope Ethan excels there, so as to claim that spot. I think it’s vacant.
Which also explains why Emile has not been deployed there often. Mikel seems to prefer two left footed AMs.
Personally i would open the door for all these youngsters to leave and bring in A team players to the 1st team.. yeah sure is good to give academy so experience in the A team but not to be included in the 25 man squad during the season hell nah. Nwaneri, nelson, skelly, salah all impressive but should they be given an opportunity at top club level selection? Hell nah! We vying for top honors and we need top players. Such youngsters need to get loaned out often to smaller clubs where they’ll gain experience before ever making top team start. Personally as a manager i prefer my youngsters at 20+ to make first team call up at a big club, there are West hams, wolves, girona, spezia, Brighton teams that these youngins could go there and play they hearts out b4 they can become the next Mpappe, Vini Jr, Saka, Foden etc. That’s my take on this. Idc how talented or explosive a youngin is but at 16-18 you not making my top start, turn 20 1st then come back more mentally grown and emotionally aware, tf a teenager know about controlling his emotions when the game ain’t going they way? Experienced players know how to handle pressure, youngins cave to peer pressure with ease, we seen this with Chelsea this season bc of so many young players none of them know how to motivate one another bc they all kindergarten and need a teacher so he nah , Nwaneri would not make top team to me until he 20.
But you just mentioned that Mikel frustrated Walters out due to lack of playing time…… and now you’re saying the youngsters shouldn’t get into the team. Sigh!!!!
Watched the game on a 30 min highlight,thought Hein was awful.
Jesus and Martinelli showed their class ,as for the youngsters no one stood out and it wouldn’t matter as the boss man couldn’t promote an Academy player if a “Fabregas type of player “combed his Lego hair.
Im all
For spending money as long as it brings in trophies,I’ll wait with anticipation.
So no youngster stood out but you.still berate Arteta !
What a joke …constantly moaning rather than supporting the team especially when Arteta plays the youngsters !
Don’t take the bait Neil. You know better.
Come on DK, 30 minutes highlights isn’t a way to judge players or a game. I watched the whole game and although the goal we conceded went through his legs, Hein wasn’t awful. Heaven, apart from his part in their goal, was very assured in passing. Lewis-Skelly came on in the 2nd half and played well. In another thread I mentioned posted something along the line that I was disappointed with Nwaneri. Having thought about it, that was wrong of me. He wasn’t outstanding, but he played well and got an assist.
Saw this on YouTube :
We’ve beaten manure home and away and away from home 😂😂😂
Long may it continue 👍👍👍
I’m happy with our academy players
Where is Charlie Patino?
He wants to leave and is looking for a new club. Arteta doesn’t rate him and was excluded from USA tour to deal with his agent.
He’s gone
I was specially impressed with Nwanery and Myles Skelly and hopefully Arteta integrates them into the first team and gives them some minutes. With the schedule Arsenal has, they could easily get some minutes.