Paucity of options see youngsters thrown in at the deep end

Down the years, particularly during Arsene Wenger’s tenure, the Carling Cup has tended to be the breeding ground for Arsenal’s young talents.

Now, however, such is the severity of the lack of options in the first-team squad, owing to injuries, suspensions and a lack of investment in the transfer market, several of the club’s younger players are finding themselves exposed to the high intensity of Premier League football a little earlier than many would have expected.

The defeat to Liverpool at Emirates Stadium was a case in point. With Alex Song suspended and Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby out injured, Emmanuel Frimpong, who has overcome his injury problems to become a fully-fledged member of Wenger’s squad, was afforded a start in the deep lying midfield position, despite having just one substitute appearance in the league to his name.

He received a booking early on, but proceeded to deliver an impressive, or as he might put it, ‘DEEEEENCH’ performance, breaking up play efficiently and embarking on several dynamic runs, even drilling a shot narrowly wide on one occasion.

However, that early booking would come back to haunt him as a rash challenge in the second period saw Arsenal reduced to ten men at a time when the game was goalless.

Frimpong will learn from his mistake, but, as hinted here two years ago, he does have a rather combative and occasionally reckless edge to his game which, although somewhat refreshing, can be of detriment to the side.

Shortly after Frimpong’s dismissal, Henri Lansbury was introduced for only his second Premier League appearance, and his first for over a year, when he replaced Andrey Arshavin. It said something about Arsenal’s current plight that Lansbury was the only remaining option on the bench who possessed a more defensive side to his game. The 20 year old, who is yet to be provided with assurances regarding a new deal when his current one expires next summer, was, quite literally, thrown in at the deep end and this was certainly not the perfect occasion for him to impress and showcase his talents.

Perhaps the most surprising introduction was that of Ignasi Miquel. The Spanish centre-back was introduced when Laurent Koscielny went off injured early on, meaning that, in the space of five days, he had gone from partnering Daniel Boateng at Underhill in a Reserve game to lining up alongside Thomas Vermaelen against a side aiming to finish in the top four of the Premier League.

Miquel showed some signs of nervousness, but also made some good clearances. It would be unfair to be overly critical of him given that he was rushed rather unexpectedly into action and also when it is taken into account that his pre-season programme was somewhat truncated by his successful excursion with his country at the U19 European Championships. The 18 year old does, however, appear to have, temporarily at least, overtaken Sebastien Squillaci in the pecking order, with the Frenchman yet to be named in an Arsenal matchday squad this season.

Benik Afobe, too, can count himself a little unfortunate to be injured at this point or he may also have been in with a chance. The 18 year old, who impressed at the Emirates Cup, is likely to remain at the club until at least Christmas before embarking on any possible loan spell, but the recent acquisition of Joel Campbell may, provided the latter receives a work permit, limit his chances somewhat.

In short, Arsenal’s start to the season may have been far from satisfactory and the lack of options has led to several youngsters being plunged head-first into the first-team but, particularly in Frimpong’s case, such a learning curve may prove to be a valuable one.