Arsenal have given talented youngster Conor Henderson a massive incentive to escape his current injury hell by rewarding him with his first professional contract.
17 year-old Henderson is currently undergoing treatment after tearing his crucial knee ligament on his Reserve debut against Portsmouth in September. He is not expected to return until the start of next season but will experience a huge morale boost after signing pro terms.
Conor has been eligible for a pro deal since turning 17 on September 8th but the club have decided that he deserves his chance for the tremendous attitude he has shown towards the team for the past nine years. The Ireland u-19 international broke onto the scene last season whilst still a schoolboy and immediately caught the eye with some stellar performances. Comfortable either as a left-winger or a central-midfielder and capable of playing killer passes, Conor is afraid to go for goal and has registered two strikes from twelve u-18s appearances thus far.
Conor was initally concerned that he might not get a deal given his injury problems, but has praised the way in which the club has treated him
When I first got injured I was concerned about my future at Arsenal because I have not signed as a professional, but the Club were quick to make sure that I should not worry about that and the main thing was to concentrate on getting myself right. That’s what I intend to do.
Fellow pro Rhys Murphy, who experienced similar injury problems last season, has backed his team-mate to come through his current ordeal
Conor Henderson is going through it right now, but I can see already that he has the right mental attitude to get through and I’m sure he’ll come out the other side stronger, just like I feel I have.
There remain six youngsters on the club’s books who are currently eligible for a professional contract but are yet to sign one. They are: Luke Ayling, Anton Blackwood, Craig Eastmond, Roarie Deacon, Cedric Evina and Rhema Obed.
Posted by Romford Pele on January 6, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Gopod luck to him.
what’s the situation with Lansbury? seems he can’t even get in the reserves team. I know he was out for ages with glandular fever but I expected him to push on this season and he doesn’t seem to be doing so.
Posted by mark on January 6, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Great news about the boy, he will come good next year.
Any news on Arshavin?
Posted by jeorge9 on January 6, 2009 at 4:52 pm
the problem is that we have lots of talented young midfield players. wilshere has been fast-tracked, then there are the likes of randall, merida and coquelin. even bischoff seems to be rated higher than lansbury at the moment but don’t forget he is still young and is still eligible for the u-18s, although he only plays for them in the FA Youth Cup. I think if somebody like Randall goes out on loan then he will get more chances but at the moment it is very difficult for him.
Posted by SebCesc on January 6, 2009 at 5:02 pm
What do you think will happen with the other 6 players? Will they get pro contracts in the next few days? Do you think a lot of contracts have been taking longer because of the new chief exec?
Posted by Gooner 85 on January 6, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Dammit…. i want all of them in our future team.. not gonna happen is it?
Posted by jonty on January 6, 2009 at 5:56 pm
I think Ayling will be handed a pro contract, and maybe Evina and Deacon.
Posted by KiwiGooner on January 6, 2009 at 7:21 pm
My daughter is recovering from Glandular Fever – its been 5 months, and she still has symptoms – always tired etc. I think you will find that Lansbury will still have some symptoms, and won’t be 100% until 12 months have passed; even then, there is a danger of liver damage etc, so there’s no doubt it will hinder his progress. Having said that, he would have had the best care possible, so WILL I’m sure be back to normal at some point – but he will need time before he is at 100% level.
Posted by SUPERGUNNER07 on January 6, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Ayling and Eastmond will get pro contract, Deacon Evina Obed will be properly assessed in the 2nd half of the season with the view to contract next season but it looks bleak for Blackwood unless there is rapid improvement in his game.