I don't want to drag the other thread too much off topic, so let's start a new one instead that specifically addresses the recent youth and academy performances.

The reserves defeated Everton by 4-1 yesterday. Emmanuel-Thomas scored another brace. He's got 10 goals in his last 6 games now. Aneke, who also scored, has 6 in 7 I believe. JET's second goal involved a great piece of skill, apparently. It's supposed to be up on ATVO later on today.

Francis Coquelin had a glowing performance for Lorient in the weekend too. He hasn't had many opportunities to shine in Ligue 1 so far, but he played the full ninety in a holding role as they beat Saint Etienne away. I watched some highlights and he looked excellent positioned slightly behind Mvuemba in their midfield. He assisted one of their goals too.

good to hear about Coquelin.. he hasnt been really playing much over there. i think if he gets a chance to get a string of games, he can show what he's about..

will be interested to see the "ridiculous piece of skill" that JET used for his goal.... everyone's making it sound Ronaldinho-esque

It's up on Arsenal.com now. Ridiculous goal. He wraps his left foot around the back of his right leg and flicks the ball forward between two defenders, and then he finishes calmly in the nearest bottom-corner. It's not a hard shot or anything but the keeper has most of his weight on the wrong leg and can't do a thing about it. It all happens very quickly and with minimal effort from JET himself.

Just saw it, fantastic piece of skill by JET. He really is such a well rounded talent.

What do people think we should do with JET? Seems like he's destroying the Reserve League and clearly needs to be playing regularly at a higher level than that now to develop further. But then there doesn't seem to be a place for him in our first team aside from a couple of very late substiitute appearances with no time to do anything. Not sure he's even been played in the Carling Cup has he?

Should he be loaned in January to somewhere like West Ham/Bolton or the Championship? Or will he get some more game time here?

Benik Afobe just scored his first goal for Huddersfield Town.

And his second one.

i think he needs to go on loan to get regular matches. he's not going to get more than a few minutes here and there with us this season, and that doesn't do a thing for him.

would love linkage to the 2nd goal if anyone has it.

Pepe LeFrits wrote:

Any sign of the clip elsewhere?

It's a free vid on Arsenal.com now.

Looks like he's been watching VP in training. 😆

Further evidence to suggest that he's got talent in abundance and the only thing between him and a great career is his attitude.

That is genius 😆

No wonder he's giggling like a little school girl.

Great piece of skill to beat the defenders. Pretty awful piece of goalkeeping though innit? Size of the gap at the near post was ridiculous.

was thinking that the defending in general was poor even though the skill was great... and yeah, the keeper left an "Almunia-sized gap" at the near post

5 days later

Bartley was The Blades' man of the match yesterday against Millwall, apparently. Sheffield won the game with 1-0. I saw a quick highlight clip where he made two Sagnaesque blocks to prevent what looked like all but certain goals. He's getting a lot of applauds from their fans for his fine performances this season.

good to hear.. get himself "battle-tested" in the Championship and then make the transition to the Prem

That JET goal has over a million views as was on some french TV goals of the week program. A lot of coverage for a reserve team goal.

US: Yeah, it will do him a world of good. It's all about playing regularly at this stage. It's hard to believe that Bartley is still nineteen when you look at him. He's grown even further since the last time he played for us. He must be close to 6 ft 4 now. Physically he's a monster.

England u18s are playing not far away tonight and might pop down to see how Chuks and Nico do.