Young Arsenal left-back Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill has been ruled out for six to eight weeks with an ankle injury.
Ormonde-Ottewill has been the first-choice left-back for Arsenal’s U21 team this season, but his lengthy absence will force coach Steve Gatting into a reshuffle.
There is no obvious replacement left-back with suitable experience of second-string football, so first-year scholars Marc Bola and Elias Chatzitheodoridis could be in contention for call-ups. Bola, who can also play at centre-back, featured against Stoke City U21s last week. Chatzitheodoridis may not yet be considered ready for U21 football, however, with the youngster having endured a difficult debut for the U18s against Tottenham Hotspur recently.
Alternatively, Tafari Moore, who has played at left-back in Arsenal’s UEFA Youth League fixtures and for the England U17 team, could move across from right-back, which could open the door for first-year Chiori Johnson to receive more game time at U21 level.
England U19 international Ormonde-Ottewill has played five times for the U21s this season. He scored against Newcastle United when captaining the side last month.
Fellow defender Julio Pleguezuelo is unlikely to return in time to face Middlesbrough U21s on Friday. The Spaniard has only made one fleeting appearance for the club this season, which came at U18 level in August.
Meanwhile, Stefan O’Connor and Ainsley Maitland-Niles have been added to Arsenal’s Champions League squad after they signed their first professional contracts recently.
Jeorge Bird's Arsenal Youth 
Looks like he is setting himself up for a place in the first team – alongside Diaby, Sanogo, Gibbs, Giroud, etc in the treatment room.
Man, my life hasn’t been complete, until I read this clever comment about how being injured is a pre-requisite to gaining a spot in the first team squad. I’ve never seen or heard a more humorous and sarcastic comment about injuries at Arsenal in my life. A rare gem if I do say so myself! It’s not like you hear people latching on to that particular dilemma at our club on a weekly if not daily basis. Sharp wit you have there sir! I bet it cut Arsene to the quick!
Moving Moore to left-back could be an option or keep Moore at right-back and play Wright at left-back. Bola’s done reasonable well for the U18s this season. Or play a CB like Pleggy or Hayden when they return from injury at right-back and Moore at left-back. Another option Moore at left-back and Johnson at right-back he’s already made his debut for the U21s earlier this season and Bola recently made his last weekend.
Jeorge, any news on Da Graca? The little I’d heard of him- chased by good clubs, big lad, can play cb or dm- made me eager to see how he’d do. Then,so far…nowt. Mind you, same with keto, I think
I think it’s a problem to do with international clearance, but they both should be able to play soon
Ok, thanks. Given what happened at Barca they’d be wise to be ultra careful I suppose
Jeorge, how do you rate George Dobson?
And do you see him more as a centre-back or def-mid?
I rate him highly. I think he’s probably better as a defensive midfielder right now.
On Wed, Oct 29, 2014 at 11:46 PM, Jeorge Bird's Arsenal Youth wrote:
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