Are Arsenal’s current crop of youngsters the real deal?
Arsene Wenger has gradually been edging towards creating his very own Arsenal production line of a whole team of players from the Arsenal academy going on to form the bulk of his first-team squad. With each year that passes, Wenger gets closer to that reality with one or two players becoming key first-team players.
The Arsenal boss has taken a lot of flak for this policy and an alleged over-reliance on young players, despite having money available to buy instant success. But if last night’s victory over Sheffield United is anything to go by, Wenger’s Class of ’09 could be the best generation yet.
Wenger himself was delighted by what was a clear improvement on his usual Carling Cup second-string. He said: “The team showed a good mixture of talent. They also showed a mature collective spirit to play the way we want to play. They remained focused and they looked a complete team. I am very proud of that. We looked strong in every individual position and that takes a lot of hard work.”
The young Gunners – with an average age of just 19 – demolished United 6-0. The group looked like a genuine team with good balance throughout the team. As with any team, it does have its stars, notably Mexican youngster Carlos Vela and England prospect Jack Wilshere, but they fit into the team rather than dominate it.
Watching the performance must have been mouthwatering for Wenger, who you suspect has always had the dream of producing a crop of homegrown (in club if not nationality terms) youngsters capable of challenging for the title. While that might be a little way off for the current group of youngsters, if Wenger can keep them together for the next five years or so, who knows what they will be capable of by then.
In the meantime, it is going to be a joy to watch them progress in the Carling Cup this season.
Topics: Arsenal, Carling Cup, English Premier League
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It’s a bit early to be going nuts over Wenger’s younguns but Vela, Wilshire and co. look the part. Now it’s just a matter of getting them enough playing time on the pitch and the right training off the pitch.
I think we’ll see several of these youngsters playing a regular part in Arsenal’s season – although with the likes of Bendtner and Hoyte they might be better served going out on loan and getting regular games.
In any case, the future’s secure for Arsenal, but they still need to win titles to satiate the mobs.
September 24th, 2008 @ 16:20Vela’s going to be class! Those were some great finishes!
September 24th, 2008 @ 16:39Vela really looks the business to me already. If Eduardo gets fit and back to his best and Wenger has him, Adebayor, Van Persie and Vela to choose from up front, Gooners will wonder what all the fuss was over them making no ‘big name’ summer signings. Bendtner isn’t up to it though and I expect him to go the way of Aliadiere and eventually get sold to a lesser team – probably boro.
September 24th, 2008 @ 17:44Besides Vela, who shone like a super-nova last night, we need to keep things in perspective.
One game means nothing… I want to see at the end of the season if these youngsters keep on producing the goods. If they do – then check success, if not, add this season to the long list of misses by Wenger.
And about “home-grown,” including young superstars from every country in the world into Arsenal is not home-grown. F.ex. Vela has spent 4 months (May-Sept) in England with Arsenal and two years loaned out — not grown at home, I would say.
Lastly, I think that Arsenal’s youthful attacking football is lacking at least one thing to ensure success, namely physicality. Against any quality side (see last years demolishing by Tottenham) these lads cannot stand their ground.
Nonetheless, they play exciting football that is a joy to watch for neutrals, but I bet Arsenal fans want more than ephemeral glitter. Maybe sustained silverware would be better?
Peace
September 24th, 2008 @ 18:00Its only one game and frankly magnificent performances in the Carling Cup is nothing new to Arsenal. It has been happening for at least 2 years now. Very early to say anything. Having said that it was a good performance but the match was not shown live, we saw only the goals and not the whole match. Again very difficult to judge…………..
September 24th, 2008 @ 22:41Dont be too overhyped just yet. With the first team squad already very young, no all may make it to the first team of Arsenal. Yes, i am not siding my club but i know thats the case.
I must also say United did not threatened us must, cause if we had gone a goal down we might be in trouble.
September 25th, 2008 @ 02:20I would have liked to have seen the whole match to see how well we did defensively. Apparently Fabianski didn’t have any problems the whole night, which is a little bit of a shame because i wanted to see what he can do. Good match practice for Djourou though – we’re gonna need him during the league games if the Toure/Gallas thing keeps fucking things up.
As for the Bendtner critics i think the guy will be phenomenal if given more chances. He’s just fantastic on the headers & playmaking abilities. I expect him to replace Adebayor up front once he fucks off to some other club end of next season.
September 25th, 2008 @ 02:27I really think Arsenal is gradually becoming a feeder team for the top clubs in the world. Of what benefit is it if you groom kids for 2, 3, 4 years and then he gets snapped up by another club willing to spend money? What makes this more likely to happen is the fact that a lot of these kids are from foreign countries, they get an offer from a club in their home country and find it irresistible. I think Arsenal cannot go beyond this peak if they continue with this policy.
September 25th, 2008 @ 13:38@ Olamide: Oh really?
September 25th, 2008 @ 18:22Olamide, I have not yet figured out who you are talking about. Cesc? Viera? Henry? Gilberto? Bentley? Who…??
September 26th, 2008 @ 01:07BUY PLAYERS WENGER
January 29th, 2009 @ 15:20