Time for Arsenal to sort out the best from the rest
Posted by Jeorge Bird on July 20, 2008
Arsenal’s pre-season preparations are already underway and, according to Arséne Wenger, there are a whole host of youngsters on the edge of the first team with one or two who are ‘very close’. But with a new crop of youngsters coming though, some players will have to give way and seek careers elsewhere. So, who’s most likely to get released, who’s going to go on loan and who’s going to break into the first team?
The future of Jay Simpson seems to be up in the air. He spent last season on loan at Millwall and returned to the club with the League One Player of the Year award under his belt before smashing a hat-trick in a pre-season friendly against Dorchester. He scored again yesterday against Barnet before setting up Nacer Barazite for the second. Wenger muttered something to Pat Rice after Jay’s goal but whether he was talking about Wilshere’s pass instead is not clear. Another season in the reserves would not do Jay any good, he is proven at that level and is a year older than most of the other lads. Either Wenger will give him a chance to shine in the Carling Cup or he will be sold. It would be a massive shame if he went as he is one of the best out and out finishers at the club. He is more clinical than Bendtner at the moment and has found the net much more than Fonte and Sunu but still he has not made the breakthrough. If he is still with Arsenal when the summer transfer window closes, then Arsene should be inclined to give him his chance in the Carling Cup otherwise he will just be putting his obvious talents to waste.
The likes of Nacer Barazite, Henri Lansbury and Havard Nordtveit should all feature at some point in the Carling Cup next season, whilst Mark Randall, Gavin Hoyte and Paul Rodgers have been tipped for loan spells.
When Fran Merida and Kieran Gibbs return from the UEFA u-19 Championships they will both be poised for first-team opportunities having both been out on loan at some point last season.
The likes of Abu Ogogo, Rene Steer and James Dunne could all see out the remaining year of their contracts before being released next summer.
Rui Fonte has been linked with a return to Sporting Lisbon and just doesn’t seem anywhere near good enough for the first-team just yet.
Meanwhile, the likes of Francis Coquelin and Wojciech Szczesny will look to hold down regular spots in Neil Banfield’s Reserve side.
Which leaves Jack Wilshere. He was one of the star performers yesterday in a team where most players were two years his senior, three in Simpson’s case. He is an undeniable talent but there is still some way to go in his development. A place on the bench in the Carling Cup next season is a possibility, but if he doesn’t perform straight away then it’s not a problem. He has time on his side and Arsenal need to be careful with how they handle him.
So, Vincent van den Berg is the only youngster who has been released this summer. The rest are still left sweating on their futures and it’s up to Arsenal to sort out the best from the rest. It will be interesting to see what happens but it would be unlike Wenger to let a gem slip out in front of his very eyes.
Howard said
Simpson should be given a chance which I hope Arsene will do since we lack local players. At worst, he should be sent to a championship club or one of the new entrants to the EPl. At this stage, he needs to play regularly to improve his skills.
He’s a natural finisher and with Ade misbehaving, he might be the solution in two seasons time.
Naga gunner said
Hey Jeorge!!
Good post!
I would like to know what is your opinion on Rhys murphy? What is happening with him.
Cheers!!
P.S. Why did you change the page colour to black? It was much clearer and comfortable to read with the previous white layout. Just a suggestion!!
jeorge9 said
Murphy missed a lot of last season with a hernia problem but he is back now and should be a regular in the reserves next season. the carling cup is a possibility as well if he performs consistently. I prefer the black design but i could change it back if you like.
Naga gunner said
Thanks Jeorge!!
Please keep up your good work. I liked the white one but of course you know best! Anyway no big deal, lol.
robert said
I think we should send him out on a loan spell in the premiership… Maybe west brom, they need a replacement for Kevin Phillips…
Jimmy said
Hey Jeorge
You didn’t mention Jay Thomas. What do you reckon? Was it significant that he didn’t get an opportunity at Barnet?
jeorge9 said
thomas has just signed a professional contract. he is a year younger than most of the reserve regulars and will get his chance in the second-string next season.
Passenal said
Simpson certainly has the desire to make it at Arsenal. I remember reading that he was planning to spend the summer practicing at Hale End with Gavin Hoyte and Paul Rodgers. Such determination should at least be rewarded with a chance. Either CC team or another loan with a Championship club as he needs to play regularly. His spell with Millwall has really been good for him. If he can be patient he could make the first team in a couple of years.
John W said
I wouldn’t want Simpson to be sold anywhere. I think Adebayor will stay, but then as was with Monaco, he will start giving less in matches. That’s when Simpson will help us. Should he be sold, we will regret in a few years time, just as we did with Andy Cole. I don’t think Arsene should trust Adebayor at all.
mali mali said
I really like the new layout and color, although it does look quite similar young guns.
As for Jay Simpson I really like his attitude. He always does what he is told and works hard wherever he is placed on the pitch.
He might not be the most technical player, but he makes up for it with determination and grit. It would be a shame to lose another youngster simply because we were not patient enough. If we take Bentley as an example, he might not have quite been good enough when he left us, but he surely would have made our team last year. However whereas Bentley had a bad attitude (which is undoubtedly the reason we let him go) Jay has never spoken a bad word about arsenal and is ready to wait for his time.
We should reward him this year with some time on the bench and give him a few run outs in the first team and the CC. I mean what more does he need to do to prove himself? First hat-trick at the Emirates, League one player of the year, and now scores one and sets one up in a game we never looked like winning. He has taken all his chances so far so who’s to say he can do it in the premiership!!!
BradyFan said
From what I Saw yesterday Jay Simpson deserves further chances in pre-season hopefully he can take them.It would please every gooner im sure if he could progress with those opportunities to the extent that he leaves Adebeyor in the stands or off to Barcelona for an inflated fee with a replacement that cost the club nothing ; and just as important somebody who actually cares about Arsenal.
Howard said
mali mali
I totally agree with you. Jay can be sent to a premiership club like Bendtner for a year and see how he develops; then we take it from there.
He’s a local boy with good attitude and willing to bid his time. He won’t betray Arsenal like what is happening today.
Its a long time we had a local boy in the team who’s prepared to learn and develop.
Arsene has had tons of patience for Kieran Gilbert and hopeful he’ll do so for Jay Simpson.
Josh said
I’ve been hearing a lot of things about Rhys Murphy, but lately he’s dropped off a bit. Although, that was probably due to his long term injury. He’s been called a poacher, which interests me, as he’s got the height to be an out and out centre forward. Sounds like a Drogba in the making (GASP). But I say this because I wonder how we’d do with a player LIKE Drogba in our team.
Sean said
It is thought that the coaching staff at Arsenal believe that Rhys Murphy is the real deal and are prepared to give him time and not to rush him.His goal scoring ratio at Arsenal is unreal and stands at something like a goal a game since he joined the club.
northbanklegend said
I fear for Jay Simpson. Unless Wenger gives him a couple of more games this pre-season he will find himself at a Championship team.
FunGunner said
Your assessment sounds about right to me, Jeorge9.
Simpson really has earned his chance. Even though the Arsenal style is all about technique, there should always be a place for less technical players who demonstrate the right personal attributes. I think Wenger should be impressed with Simpson not just for his performances, but the fact that he always grasps his opportunities. I don’t just mean goal-scoring opportunities, but the fact that he got the best he could out of his loan spell.
Sooth said
Arsene will really have his job cut out for him in choosing who goes and who stays. The Barnet game was the first time I’ve seen Jay Simpson in action and I thought he made some intelligent runs besides scoring a great goal and providing a nicely weighted assist. Hope he gets his chance here but there are so many players coming up and most are around the same age.
Vela, Bendtner, and Walcott are all around the same age as Jay Simpson and I think Arsene rates all of them more highly.
In midfield we have Nasri, Denilson, and Diaby who are just a couple of years older than Randall, Lansbury, Ramsey, Fran, Nacer, et al. Competition will be really keen for places.
Wondering if the reserves are good enough to play in the FA and Carling Cups. Would it be possible for the first team to just concentrate on the EPL and UCL?