Source: David Ramos/Getty Images Europe
Although it is yet to be officially confirmed by the club, Jon Toral signed a new contract with Arsenal in late April, and the Spaniard will be seeking to make some sort of impact in the professional game next season.
Toral has been largely impressive since joining from Barcelona three years ago, but has been plagued by a series of injury problems during his time in North London. However, he was in impressive form in the second half of last season, scoring five goals in 15 appearances for the U21 team.
Now 19, Toral will be hopeful of finally making his first-team debut for Arsenal in the near future, most probably in the Capital One Cup. The midfielder has trained with the senior side on numerous occasions and could be heavily involved in the club’s pre-season plans, with many players away at the World Cup.
Although he prefers to play as a central-midfielder, Toral has often been deployed on the left wing for Arsenal’s development sides, but he has still delivered some consistent performances and could experience a loan spell at some point during the 2014/15 campaign.
Jeorge Bird's Arsenal Youth 
‘plagued by a series of injury problems during his time in North London’
It’s a bit of a talking point for the first team but it seems that a huge number of our promising young players seem to have their progress stunted by injury problems. Frimpong, Afobe, Gibbs, Wilshere, Ansah. I’m sure I could find many others if I did some more research and I’m not even really including the players who came a bit later but still young like Walcott or the Ox.
Is this more than normal for this level or is it just confirmation bias – I’m looking for it so I see it? I can imagine that I’ve never heard of the young players on other teams who have their careers blighted by injuries, only the ones who come through unscathed. If it is more than normal what do you think the causes are and what can be done?
I just think there is too much pressure on teenagers to play first team football. I am not saying it’s the same for all because everyone develops at different ages, but nowadays it’s deemed as failure if a kid hasn’t played first team football by the age of 21. I think this pressure is pushing kids too hard andvisvresulting many of them not makingbthe grade.
I personally don’t think the under 21 rule is helping and think that now we are all living longer and players are generally healthier playing longer into their 30s that the homegrown/non-homegrown rule shouldn’t come in until age 23 and that the reserve leagues should be changed accordingly. Perhaps there is room for a b team, u21 and u18s, u17s. I think in the UK we are missing too many players through lack of age groups after u16s.
Damn I hate this new keyboard!!
You make a lot of sense, atid. As do I.
hey,aaron jordan and aaron eyoma,do they sound the same person.if yes,wats their nationality and playing position