‘Freeman has improved month by month’ + Time for Randall to prove himself

Arsenal under-18s coach Steve Bould has heaped praise on striker Luke Freeman, saying that the England u-17 international has got better every month since his high-profile move from Gillingham in January 2008.

Luke trains like a trooper and gives it nothing but his best every day. He’s got decent pace and is a good finisher, as we saw last season. We’ve seen him improve month by month in his year and a half here- he had to adapt from lower league football, adjusting to a short passing game, and has got to grips with it very well. In terms of things he can improve I’d look at his hold-up play, but I’m pleased with his progress. This season should be a good season for him to truly step up onto the FA Youth Cup stage, and hopefully make his way into the Reserve team picture.

Luke was among the Arsenal u-18s squad who assembled at London Colney for the photocall on July 10th. The entire squad who attended the event was as follows:

Goalkeepers:
Sean McDermott
Defenders:
Daniel Boateng
Rhema Obed
Ignasi Miquel
Sead Hajrovic
George Brislen-Hall
Cedric Evina
Nico Yennaris
Midfielders:
Chuks Aneke
Conor Henderson
Sam Byles
Emmanuel Frimpong
Oguzhan Ozyakup
Jernade Meade
Strikers:
Roarie Deacon
Benik Afobe
Luke Freeman

In other news, midfielder Mark Randall is set to link up with Nigel Clough’s Derby County for their pre-season training camp in Devon. Randall has been on the periphery of the first-team for three seasons without being able to break into the set-up and a loan seems the only plausible option at this moment in time.

This trial will give Clough the opportunity to assess Randall and decide whether he wants to take him to Pride Park on loan next season. It will be a fantastic opportunity for Mark to prove himself and show that he can cut it at Championship level.