Everything appears rosy in the Arsenal Academy garden at present, with the Gunners having reigned supreme at youth level last campaign and Arsene Wenger slowly but surely beginning to incorporate some of the club’s talented youngsters into his first-team plans.
However, as the standard expected by the club increases, the competition becomes fiercer and Academy Head Liam Brady, along with his coaching staff, will have a tougher decision than ever to make over who to select for next season’s intake of scholars.
A handful of schoolboys have already turned out for Steve Bould’s under-18s this campaign, whilst there are others making waves in Steve Gatting’s under-16s. Brady’s final decision will take into account a number of factors; not only the player’s ability, but his attitude and workrate in training, his educational commitments and competition for places in that particular individual’s position. Last campaign saw the likes of Cormac Hegarty, Neil Johnston and Alex Witham released but this year it could be some more familiar names who don’t make the final cut.
As ever, as if the Hale End Academy products’ task of earning a scholarship wasn’t difficult enough already, several young talents plucked from other sides are guaranteed scholarships. For example, Jamie Edge, signed from Cheltenham in the summer, has only made a handful of appearances for Bould’s side yet, given the great lengths to which the club went to sign him, he will continue his development at London Colney, where he is already training full-time.
Defenders Martin Angha and Elton Monteiro are two promising Swiss players, a centre-back and left-back respectively, and they could be joined in the 2010 intake by Stefan Marinkovic, who has impressed whilst on trial at the club.
With regard to domestically-produced prodigies, Zak Ansah is the most high-profile talent and has already found the net for the under-18s. Having always been highly rated by the coaching staff, Zak is odds-on to get a scholarship but he still has a lot more developing to do before he can even be compared to Benik Afobe. Nigel Neita, another striker, has also been used sparingly by Bould but has usually made an impact when called upon, scoring the winner against Crystal Palace earlier this season. He is also likely to earn a scholarship given the lack of numbers in the striking department currently at under-16 and under-18 level.
Midfielder Callum Webb has been mightily impressive for the under-16s so far this season and appears a good prospect and hasn’t appeared fazed when thrown in at the deep end of the Premier Academy League. He, along with central-midfield partner Josh Rees, should also make the final cut.
Right-back Ben Glasgow has already represented Republic of Ireland at u-17 level and made his Arsenal u-18 debut against Birmingham last season, impressing greatly. Jordan Wynter has been laid low by injuries this term but, should he show signs of his best upon his recovery, will surely not be overlooked.
Onto some of the lesser known names and it looks unlikely that all three of Joe Jones, Steven Smith and Alie Sesay will be awarded scholarships. Jones, having shone for Ireland in the Victory Shield is the most likely to make the cut, whilst Smith probably just has the edge over Sesay but it will be a close run thing.
Left-back James Campbell has been solid and impressive for the u-16s this season, but whether he will be overlooked given Monteiro’s presence remains to be seen. Central-midfielder Jemal Wiseman is a good player but may not be chosen given the wealth of options in that area at present. Goalkeepers Luke Chambers and Reice Charles-Cook will both be striving for scholarships and both could ultimately end up with one, although Chambers has the edge in terms of physique. Samir Bihmoutine, who scored against Norwich for the u-16s, is also in with a shout. Little known starlet Alban Bunjaku, a long-term servant of the club, is also eligible and possesses terrific technical ability.
Jeffrey Monakana, currently recovering from a semi-dislocated arm and goalkeeper Yilmaz Aksoy are not eligible for scholars until 2011.
With so many options, it is bound to be a difficult choice for Brady, Court and company, especially with regards to the youngsters who have worked all the way up the system from the under-nines. However, at a club as prestigious as Arsenal, tough decisions have to be made. Hopefully, they will be the right ones. The final decisions will be made over the Christmas period and early New Year, with the players to be informed by late January.
