Boateng on the recovery trail as Freeman continues to shine

Much has been made of Daniel Boateng’s dismissal in the u-18s trip to Ipswich last month and some of the criticism labelled at him could be considered unfair, but there’s no doubt that the player himself will become better for it.

Boateng is one of those players who possesses a fiery temper and can occasionally get carried away when things aren’t turning out in his favour. That is what happened against Ipswich and, with his subsequent suspension, he was left rueing his actions. Now, however, he is back in Steve Bould’s thinking and ready to push on.

Last season saw Boateng establish himself in the under-18s but, although he featured regularly from December onwards last campaign, it’s important to remember that he is a first-year scholar, albeit one of the oldest of this season’s intake. He possesses calmness on the ball and often drives out of defence to support the attack. Last season he forged a formidable partnership at centre-back with Spaniard Ignasi Miquel and perhaps their lack of games together this campaign has been to Boateng’s detriment; he has the power and the force whilst Miquel is more technically-minded and cultured. That partnership was rekindled on Saturday against Charlton and, coincedence or not, a clean sheet was kept for the first time in three games.

Boateng has taken steps to curb his temperament and should be roundly applauded for doing so. He has accepted his problem and dealt with it which is all part of becoming a professional footballer, something he will hope to be by the end of this season.

It wasn’t just Boateng who impressed on Saturday in the 6-0 demolition of the Addicks. Nico Yennaris scored his first ever Premier Academy League goal and impressed in holding midfield alongside Conor Henderson, who also got on the scoresheet. There were braces apiece for Roarie Deacon and Luke Freeman, with the latter in particular involved in some sublime build up play before Bould removed him, denying him of his hat-trick.

After a rocky few weeks, Arsenal under-18s are most definitely back on track. They sit top of Premier Academy League Group A and will be looking to match last season’s FA Youth Cup achievements when they enter the 3rd round next month.