When Arsenal made the move to Emirates Stadium from Highbury in 2006, it was anticipated that the club’s Academy would play a key role in providing players who could grace the new ground for years to come.
It hasn’t exactly transpired like that, however, as, despite the fact that Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs and Wojciech Szczesny all progressed through the system to become first-team regulars, the production line has slowed a little in recent seasons, with less players being promoted despite the overall quality of the squad arguably being less than in preceding campaigns.
Martin Angha has impressed at left-back in recent weeks
The perception of the quality of the players being brought through hasn’t exactly been helped by results this season, particularly at U18 level, where, having endured three changes of management already this campaign, the youngsters have struggled for consistency and been on the receiving end of some hefty defeats, not least the 6-1 loss to Aston Villa last month.
Yesterday’s hard-fought NextGen Series victory over holders Inter Milan, however, may well restore a modicum of pride to the youth set-up, particularly given the way that Terry Burton’s side coped with an extremely difficult pitch to prevail against a highly-competitive outfit. Arsenal will now be confident of progressing even further in this competition, but their next opponents, CSKA Moscow certainly cannot be taken lightly having qualified out of a group containing Ajax and Chelsea, even if the Gunners will have home advantage.
The key difference between this side and the one that exited the FA Youth Cup to Everton recently appears to be the extra sprinkling of experience added by the likes of Nico Yennaris, who scored the decisive goal yesterday, and Martin Angha, who has featured for the first-team in the Champions League this season. Arsenal’s defence as a whole was rather impressive yesterday, with even the maligned centre-back pairing of Elton Monteiro and Sead Hajrovic turning in commendable performances, even if the attacking trident of Serge Gnabry, Chuba Akpom and Zak Ansah received little in the way of service.
Attention will now turn back to the U21 and U18 leagues, where Arsenal have a plethora of fixtures to fulfil before the end of next month, starting with Southampton’s visit to Underhill on Monday evening as Steve Gatting’s second-string continue to seek their first victory of the Elite Group.
I watched match thought Hayden was MOTM. And yes nice team effort! Just need 1st team to shot like Yennaris!
Yennaris also has impressed me whenever i have seen him play especially as right back. Hayden looks like a guy with a lot of heart , i hope many of them make it to the first team.
I ve never watch this boys game b4 except always readinp frm ur site, I’m nt sure ll most of them ‘ll have their future at arsenal. But can u tell why Yenaris ‘s nt yet bn added to the 1st team ?
I don’t think Yennaris has enough to step up in CM, but Hayden looks like he has something extra. His versatility and spells as a CB help him in CM, and I hope he can step up. Reminds me of Petit (put pressure on him!). For me the ones who played yesterday with a chance are Bellerin, Hayden, Angha, Akpom and Gnabry.
Hayden seems to be impressing along with Yennaris, Akpom and Gnarby we have some good talents hopefully the team performances improve after this good win
I just like to say i am deeply sorry for calling austin lipman a liar. I am sorry for those i offended on here <3
You may wish to learn the difference between ‘less’ and ‘fewer’, otherwise, great article.