The secret is out.
Once one of the hidden gems of the Arsenal Academy,Chuks Aneke’s many talents are now on display for all to see.
Robust, technically excellent and also a decent finisher, Chuks, along with striker Luke Freeman, has enjoyed a superb pre-season and will now be looking for a full campaign to match.
Last campaign was all about Chuks bedding into the u-18s. He made his debut at home to Ipswich and made an instant impression, showcasing several of his aforementioned attributes. He was, perhaps, a little over-zealous in the tackle and was constantly penalised for fouling but that is something which he has begun to eradicate from his game via the help of the ever-ready youth coaches at Arsenal.
Now a full-time scholar at London Colney, Chuks cannot rest on his laurels. He was already guaranteed a scholarship as early as last summer but must work harder than ever to become a professional. The early signs are certainly promising and he is beginning to resemble Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira more and more every day. What was so great about Vieira was that not only was he astute defensively, but he also broke forward and created many attacking opportunities for his side. One criticism labelled at PV4 was that he did not score enough goals, but Chuks is already sorted in that regard.
He opened his account for the u-18s against Birmingham late last season and has begun pre-season blazing a trail. Starting off by grabbing a brace in the 6-0 thrashing of paltry Plymouth at London Colney, he subsequently went on to star in the Toomey Trophy hosted by Southend at their Roots Hall venue last weekend.
Against the hosts, he found himself on the right-wing as Steve Bould assessed his options ahead of the new season. Despite the disappointing scoreline, Chuks was like a shining beacon on a gloomy night as he used his aerial ability to good effect and also helped to bring others into play.
On Day Two against Fulham in the third-place play-off the pressure was off and Chuks revelled in it. The Gunners cruised to a comfortable 4-0 win over their London rivals and Aneke impressed in central midfield on this occasion, finishing with ease following Roarie Deacon’s cutback.
But his best moment so far this pre-season came as recently as Tuesday night when he was involved with the Reserve set-up for the very first time for the friendly at Maidenhead United.
Arsenal won 7-1 and Aneke completed the rout after being teed up by Freeman, with whom he has developed an almost telepathic understanding in the short time they have worked together.
Bould has been watching on with interest, although he was already well aware of Chuks’ variety of talents. He will look to incorporate that to the u-18s best advantage this season as the young Gunners look to match their predecessors by winning the Premier Academy League and FA Youth Cup double.
It is almost certain that Aneke will start every game for the u-18s this season in the league when fit, and he should have a key role to play in the FA Youth Cup too. Emmanuel Frimpong, though still eligible to play in both competitions, is expected to be more heavily involved with the Reserves, so Chuks should take his place.
Academy head Liam Brady praised Chuks’ goalscoring attributes recently, saying “He’s a good finisher, Chuks. He is a big lad, very laid back but he has loads of skill and knows where the goal is.”
He is very laid back, yes, but you cannot for a second fault his workrate. Whilst somebody like Jay Emmanuel-Thomas may be accused of looking disinterested at time, the same cannot be said of Chuks who is a steely presence in front of his back four but is equally capable going forward and could probably do a decent job as a striker if required.
If you look at the latest batch of scholars, Arsenal seem well equipped in all four main areas. They have one of the most highly-rated young goalkeepers in Europe in Sean McDermott, a promising defender in Daniel Boateng, whose physical approach and leadership qualities have drawn parallels with the recently departed Kolo Toure, up front there is of course Benik Afobe who can score goals for fun and in midfield there is Chuks. Throw in the likes of 2008 recruits Oguzhan Ozyakup and Ignasi Miquel, plus Hale End products like Nico Yennaris, George Brislen-Hall and Jernade Meade and it is certain that the u-18s will be excitng to watch this season.
With Chuks at the helm, the future certainly seems promising.
