Young Pros
NACER BARAZITE
Nacer enjoyed a fine second season at the club, performing well at all levels from the under-18s to the first team. He was joint top scorer for Steve Bould’s side with 13 goals and was top marksman for the reserves wih six. He also appeared twice for the first team in the Carling Cup. After performing well on his debut against Sheffield United, the Dutch under-19 international suffered a dislocated shoulder in the Fifth Round against Blackburn but bounced back to enjoy a strong end to the season.
KYLE BARTLEY
After a solid debut season, centre-back Kyle was rewarded with his first professional contract this summer. Signed from Bolton Wanderers in 2007, the England Youth international missed several months through injury but made his reserve debut against Fulham and was a key player for the under-18s, scoring once from eleven appearances.
FRANCIS COQUELIN
French midfielder Francis completed his move to Arsenal in July 2008 after a successful trial two months earlier. Joining the club from Stade Laval, he operates in a defensive-midfield position and was a late call-up to the squad for the Barnet friendly after Carlos Vela suffered an injury setback. He wasted no time endearing himself to the Gunners faithful, putting in a commited performance and looking comfortable on the ball. He impressed Arsene Wenger enough to earn a place in the squad for the tour of Hungary and Austria where he again caught the eye. The France u-17 international is likely to play most of his football for the reserves this season.
THOMAS CRUISE
Centre-back Thomas is an England Youth international who played a key part in the under-18s league campaign last season. He also came on as a substitute in the FA Youth Cup defeat to Liverpool and made his reserves debut against West Ham. A player who possesses a decent left foot, he signed professional terms with the club in the summer and will be looking to go from strength to strength next campaign.
JAMES DUNNE
A tough-tackling at commited player, James was criticised by many regulars at Underhill last season for reckless challenges and his short temper which resulted in him getting sent off for the second string against Aston Villa. However, on his day, he can put in a fine performance and scored a fantastic goal for the reserves against Birmingham in February. He signed pro terms last September and has trained with the first-team but there is a lot of competition for the central-midfield berths.
JAY EMMANUEL-THOMAS
Tall, skilful and athletic, Jay enjoyed a fine first season as a full-time scholar last campaign after bursting on to the scene the previous season as an energetic left-back. Last season, he played mainly as a left-winger until Christmas but ended the season playing at centre-back and also featured up front on occassions. However, it seems his best position is central-midfield where he can use his strength and technical ability to beat opponents. An England Youth international, he will be looking to develop further during his first season as a professional.
RUI FONTE
Striker Rui is entering the final season of his three year loan from Sporting Lisbon. The Portuguese forward improved in front of goal last season, grabbing his first strikes in the reserves. He showed more composure in front of goal and developed a greater physical presence. It remains to be seen what will happen to him next season as there are rumours that he could return to Sporting a year early.
KIERAN GIBBS
Kieran impressed at left-back on his first-team debut against Sheffield United in the Carling Cup, setting up Eduardo for the first goal of the game. Normally a left winger, he also featured against Blackburn in the following round after impressing during pre-season at the Emirates Cup against Inter Milan. He spent the second half of the season on loan at Norwich where he made seven appearances but injuries meant that he could never experience a regular run in the side. He returned to Arsenal and made the bench for the Premier League game at home to Everton and will be looking for more first-team opportunities next season.
GAVIN HOYTE
Gavin is Justin’s younger brother and possesses the same rapid speed as his sibling. He can operate at both right-back and centre-back and turned professional in September 2007 after signing scholarship forms in the summer of 2006. He featured on the bench for the first-team in the Carling Cup last season and was taken on the pre-season tour of Austria and Hungary. He is a candidate for a loan spell in the near future.
HENRI LANSBURY
Promising midfielder Henri missed the second-half of last season after suffering glandular fever but returned in the summer to feature in the early stages of pre-season. Last season saw him make his first-team debut in the Carling Cup and also put in a sterling man-of-the-match performance in the FA Youth Cup demolition of Burnley. He is one of the clubs’ brightest prospects and is firmly in Arsene Wenger’s plans for the future.
FRAN MERIDA
Midfielder Fran spent the second half of last season in his native Spain, on loan at Real Sociedad. This was after a decent start to the season for Arsenal which saw him make his Carling Cup bow. The highly technical Spaniard can operate across the midfield and represented his country at the 2008 UEFA u-19 Championships in the Czech Republic.
RHYS MURPHY
A former Wimbledon youngster, Rhys has been referred to as ‘Alan Shearer with pace’ due to his poacher’s instinct. He had a frustrating campaign last season which was blighted by injury and it halted his progress after an excellent 2006/2007 season. Signing professional in the summer of 2008, he will look to repay the Arsenal coaching staff’s faith in him.
HAVARD NORDTVEIT
Central-defender Havard’s first season at the club was blighted by injury despite early signs of promise which included him scoring for the reserves against Birmingham. He was named second-string captain upon his arrival from FK Haugesund last summer and possesses a tremendous amount of technical ability considering his position. Havard is a Norweigan under-19 international.
ABU OGOGO
Primarily a right-back, Abu proved his versatility at the back end of last season by performing in a more advanced role of right-midfield, enabling manager Neil Banfield to alter things at the back. He possesses good pace and physicality but can often be found lacking in defensive situations and is likely to be released when he contract expires next summer.
MARK RANDALL
Midfielder Mark is highly regarded by Arsene Wenger and made his Premier League debut on the last day of the season against Sunderland. He also featured in the Carling Cup and spent time on loan at Burnley. Generally a central-midfielder, he can play on the wing as well and is a regular of the pre-season tours to Austria.
PAUL RODGERS
Edmonton-born right-back Paul was handed the no.37 shirt last season but didn’t earn any call-ups to the first-team squad.
JAY SIMPSON
RENE STEER
GILLES SUNU
WOJCIECH SZCZESNY
SANCHEZ WATT
December 2, 2007 at 4:15 pm
Great site Jeorge.
December 13, 2007 at 10:04 am
I agree with Sean this site gives good coverage
January 1, 2008 at 12:39 am
how long is vito mannones new contract?
January 1, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Arsenal haven’t confirmed it but I expect to be around 3 to 5 years
January 2, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Have you any information on how Sanchez Watt is doing because i have not heard much about him as a football player in a long long long time
January 3, 2008 at 4:56 pm
I wrote an article about him last month:
http://arsenalyouth.wordpress.com/2007/12/11/more-information-on-sanchez-watt/
January 20, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Who do you rate more Nordtveit or G. Hoyte
January 22, 2008 at 12:45 pm
i think nordtveit’s better as he’s more composed and strong in the tackle. Gavin Hoyte is super quick though
January 26, 2008 at 7:38 pm
I see the very far future Arsenal team as this:
Bendtner van Persie
Clichy Walcott
Fabregas Denilson
Traore Ogogo/Rodgers
Senderos Nordtveit
FAbianski
Would you agree that this is the future? Also who do you think will make it at right back?
January 26, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Sorry the team got messed up in the last post, I mean ST: Bendtner, van Persie, LW: Clichy RW; Walcott CM: Denilson Fabregas, LB: Traore
RB: Ogogo/Rodgers CB: Nordtveit Senderos GK: Fabianski
January 26, 2008 at 7:41 pm
I think that if hoyte stays patient then he could be our regular RB in the future, although sagna looks pretty solid for now. i’m not entirely convinced about fabianski, though.
January 26, 2008 at 10:33 pm
O yeah I forgot he could play out there. Do you think he will be used there in the Carling Cup if his brother his sold or loaned out?
January 27, 2008 at 9:44 am
i think justin will stay for a while, but gavin prefers to play more central although he can play RB as well
January 27, 2008 at 4:35 pm
is there any connection between danny simpson of man utd. and jay simpson as i think they look similar
January 27, 2008 at 6:17 pm
they could be but i don’t think so, although they do look quite alike.
February 3, 2008 at 3:25 am
soz what is going Vincent van den Berg? when we buy him i though he was a talent
February 3, 2008 at 7:03 pm
How come these guys are on the First Team page at Arsenal.com?
February 3, 2008 at 7:34 pm
a few of them have played in the first team, but aren’t actually first team squad members
February 3, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Yeah but they have signed pro contracts, so shouldn’t they be condsidered first teamers? I mean Randall and Gilbert are in there, why not anyone else?
February 7, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Mate, Kieran Gibbs has signed pro as well, hasn’t he?
http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?thisNav=reserves+and+youth&article=481883&lid=&Title=Gibbs+and+Dunne+delighted+by+pro+contract
February 9, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Jay Simpson?
Gilles Sunu?
Lansbury?
Randall?
Have they not been offered professional contracts yet?
February 9, 2008 at 5:25 pm
simpson and randall are pro, they’re on loan and in the loanees section (Right hand side of the page). Lansbury and Sunu are still first years and may be offered pro in the summer or the season after that
February 14, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Out of interest how did you come by the info that Hoyte is the fastest player at the club? He must be lighting to beat Walcott/Clichy and Traore. Also what’s your opinion of his defensive skills? Does he have what it takes to make it at centre back? I heard he was a bit small.
February 15, 2008 at 9:36 am
it said hoyte was the fastest in an interview with him in the Official magazine. Defensively, he makes a few mistakes but he is still very young so it’s difficult to say at the moment. i think his long-term future would be at right-back, providing he puts the effort in and there aren’t too many players in front of him
February 16, 2008 at 9:31 am
as far as right back is concerned G.Hoyte vs P.Rodgers. I know they both play centre back but i think R/b will be their future positions. What are their strengths over each other?
February 16, 2008 at 11:34 am
hoyte is quicker than rodgers, but paul is stronger in the tackle and they both have good leadership skills, so i find it difficult to choose between them both
February 18, 2008 at 3:24 am
Two things:
1. You said Nordtveit is only knocking on the first teams door. How can he be the captain of the Reserves and not start in the
first team?
2. I only really started caring about the Reserves until last season, and at the end of the season it seemed there was a huge clear out. Does that happen each season? If it does who
do you reckon will leave this year?
February 18, 2008 at 8:30 am
1. Nordtveit is a quality player but still needs to develop physically and get used to life in england. he is technically very good and could be in the carling cup squad next season.
2. It does usually happen every year and I think this year the following players could leave: Gilbert, van den Berg, Simpson, Randall (maybe), Steer, Ogogo, Dunne. However the last three were given two year contracts at the start of the season, so maybe they will stick around for a little bit longer.
February 18, 2008 at 3:21 pm
ok so if all of those people left it would leave the team like this:
———-Barazite——-Fonte——–
Gibbs—-Merida——Lansbury—-Watt
Traore—Nordtveit—-Hoyte—–Rodgers
——————–Mannone—————-
Unless a lot of these players were promoted to the first team, (Nordtveit, Hoyte, Rodgers, Traore, Lansbury, Merida, Barazite, Gibbs, Mannone), well basically everyone except Fonte, and Watt. they could make room just for basically the current U18 squad. Is there a possiblity of that happening? Because it seems like from the last few years the only youngsters to be promoted are Fabregas, Bendtner, and Hoyte. But it seems like we have a much more promising squad this year. But maybe i am blowing this out of proportion.
February 18, 2008 at 4:52 pm
wenger reportedly said lansbury and gibbs will be first team players and don’t forget vela too. rodgers might go on loan along with lansbury. barazite will play in the cc and i think mannone might go on loan as well.
i think the reserves could be something like this next season:
———Szczesny————–
–Eastmond—-Nordtveit—-Bartley—–Evina
–Watt——–Frimpong——Merida——Gibbs
————–Barazite——Fonte
February 19, 2008 at 1:33 am
So what about Gavin Hoyte? Promoted to the first team? Do you think that if Nordtveit wasn’t injured G. Hoyte wouldn’t have been on the bench in the Carling Cup?
February 19, 2008 at 11:22 am
yeah i think nordveit is rated higher than g.hoyte, but arsenal are keen to hang on to both of them so i think he could go on loan next season
February 19, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Ok thanks for bringing light onto the matter for me. Ths is a great stie by the way.
March 15, 2008 at 10:47 pm
A few questions questions jeorge, that i hoped you could clear up for me.
1. What is it about Gilbert that makes him fall out with all the coaches he meets? I remember thinking that the lad looked a really good committed young prospect. It seems a shame if it’s attitude as he didn’t seem to have a problem with Wenger.
2. How tall roughly are Hoyte, Rodgers and Nordveit?
3. Do you think Gibbs has the talent to make it in the first team? Wenger seems really keen but when i see him play he seems to be a tidy player but without the ability to beat a man (a problem for a winger). Am i being unfair? Cheers Jeorge
March 16, 2008 at 9:15 am
1. I think Gilbert was just frustrated at being left on the bench a lot of the time when he felt he was good enough to be out there playing. However, at Arsenal he knows there are several decent players in his position so he doesn’t complain.
2. sorry, i don’t know their heights, but i’ll try and find them for you
3. we lack a natural left winger, and gibbs could do the job but i can’t really say until i see him in the premiership against top quality players
March 26, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Everytime I have seen Jay Simpson he always seems to be strong at holdin up the ball and quite quick what are the main reasons jorge he hasnt broke through sooner and does he have any sort of future as I believe he has better hold up play than walcott just needs to convert his chances more
March 27, 2008 at 1:57 pm
last season he was used mainly as a striker and he he has played more as a winger this season. He is still young but i don’t think he will make it here because he is just not good enough imo. there’s nothing about him that really stands out
March 27, 2008 at 9:34 pm
but WHAT LEVEL DO you think he could play at i heard he will get offered a new contract at the end of the year
March 28, 2008 at 2:24 pm
i reckon he is only good enough for the championship but only time will tell
March 28, 2008 at 11:08 pm
“At the moment it is too early to say if Jay has a future, but I think so yes.”
“He has done extremely well and has scored goals. I always thought Jay was a very good player and the fact he can get good experience at Millwall makes us all happy, because he is not only a good player but a very nice boy.”
QUOTE FROM ARSENE
March 30, 2008 at 12:40 pm
i have a simple question.
which players will make it to the arsenal squad in the coming (seasons).
order them by the highest priority( referring to their chances to make it to the senior squad) to the lowest priority.
thanks a lot
cheers mate(Jeorge)
March 30, 2008 at 12:59 pm
it is very difficult to tell as they are all such a young age. Players like Lansbury have great potential, but a poor attitude. Out of the current young pros, I think barazite and nordtveit have the greatest chance of making the first team, with the least probably being rene steer who is a decent player but has a lot of players in his position
April 4, 2008 at 7:46 am
Hey Jeorge, I just read that Merida has signed a new deal. There have been a lot of doom mongers writing off the chances of the kid but Arsene’s words of praise tell different. I must say that i haven’t seen much of him. What kind of player is he (pacey, dribbler, goal scorer…
and does he have the quality?
April 4, 2008 at 9:39 am
he is a creative, technically gifted player and yes he certainly has the quality to play for arsenal although at the moment he is a little bit lightweight
April 17, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Hey jeorge i am just wondering where is Lansbury he has not turned out in any of the reserve or the u-18 games I have been watching ?
April 18, 2008 at 12:24 pm
he has been suffering from glandular fever, which takes a very long time and is likely to miss the rest of the season
April 20, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Which players will be too old for the youth cup next season?
April 20, 2008 at 4:44 pm
barazite, fonte, gilbert, mannone, rodgers, szczesny, dunne, hoyte, ogogo, steer, gibbs, simpson, merida, randall
April 22, 2008 at 3:53 am
jeorge
Awesome website!!!!! Who could step up into that young striker role and produce and @ the center of the defence we’ve been killed on set pieces? All for the first team. Who would you buy for Arsenal in the summer transfer market.
Peace, Matt
April 22, 2008 at 4:25 pm
i personally would buy nasri or loic perrin and as for the young striker then maybe barazite or perhaps vela, but you’ll just have to wait and see what wenger does as he is unpredictable in the transfer market.
April 23, 2008 at 3:03 am
jeorge
Thanks for the reponse! My question of course in related to the USA is their any America players on board I haven’t of any?
Peace, Matt
April 23, 2008 at 3:22 am
jeorge I forgot the word heard.
April 23, 2008 at 3:53 pm
not at the moment, but danny karbasiyoon used to play for us, and he is now a scout for the club
May 30, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Hi Jeorge,
Do you think Jack Wilshire will be a regular in the reserves next season and do you think we will sign him as a pro quickly as a lot of other scouts have been coming to watch him play.
Great website btw,
Seb
May 31, 2008 at 3:12 pm
wilshere should play most reserve games next season and there are reports that he will sign a five year deal. Wenger has even said he could feature in the Carling Cup next season.
May 31, 2008 at 7:41 pm
It just shows that the oppurtunity at Arsenal for young players is amazing - for such a young guy to get into the Carling Cup would be a great step for him. I hope Barazite goes out on loan next season and gets some first team football.
June 6, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Arsenal has a manager who is master to find talents . it is also nice that Arsenal does not spend much money for transfers ( like Chelsea or Manchester ) and based on young and mainly cheap players .
June 19, 2008 at 10:18 pm
i heard a rumour that wilshere will sign a 10k/ month contract for 4 yrs how true is this?
July 7, 2008 at 4:51 pm
What do you guys think of Gilles Sunu? Is he like a New Thierry Henry?
July 7, 2008 at 4:53 pm
he spent a season adapting to english football but next season he will be ready and is highly regarded by arsene wenger so it looks as if he has a big future ahead of him but next season will be crucial in his development.
July 7, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Why do you say that? Not trying to be pedantic, its just i find it harrd to say for myself as have seen him play seldom times and its hard to find vids.
July 7, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Also, would you say he could be the next henry?
July 8, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Hi Gooners
The whisper up here is that Kerrea Gilbert is signing for us within the next 48 hours on a season long loan…any news your end? Should be more than good enough for league 1 surely!
Great site by the way…
Fox