Youth team development: Page 51 - The Arsenal discussion forum and community: One More in the Tolly

Youth team development

Mirth

He's not a striker.

Rex

Doubt we'll see him in the first team proper for at least two years.

Clrnc

It takes alot of talent and metal strength as a 17 year old, starting his first game in a packed Emirates Stadium, after joining the club just 2 months ago, not familiar with many of his teammates since he only did 2 training sessions with them...

To be producing the level of performance he did today. This guy is something special. I particular like his throughball at 4.32. The vision and technique was outstanding.

flobaba

He'll definitely be introduced into the team this season. I expect a lot of Carling Cup and FA Cup appearances, as well as the occasional league cameo. He looks that good.

I like how he glides across the length of the field effortlessly with those long legs and his lanky frame.

He has that extra force of personality and physicality which Zelalem lacks, and which has stopped the Ethiopian from breaking through.

Klaus

A potential Arsenal forward with a first touch.

Gazza M

didn't watch the game, but i'm glad to hear about adelaide. any attacking mid with size, speed, and footwork is worth attention. looking forward to seeing more of him

Rex

I said first team proper, thus indicating that Carling Cup doesn't really count in that respect; we always play a few youngsters there. Similarly, Wenger has a penchant for playing a kid or two in the dead rubber which usually is our last game of the group stages in the CL. As I said - I doubt we will see him in a game which actually matters for at least 2 seasons.

Ivansen

Rex wrote:
I said first team proper, thus indicating that Carling Cup doesn't really count in that respect; we always play a few youngsters there. Similarly, Wenger has a penchant for playing a kid or two in the dead rubber which usually is our last game of the group stages in the CL. As I said - I doubt we will see him in a game which actually matters for at least 2 seasons.

There's a lot of traffic, as they say in Formula 1, ahead of him. Plenty of players to play on the flanks or as the 10, and we'd have to be really unlucky with injuries for him to get a prolonged spell in the league. What counts in his favour is that the flanks are the positions in which Wenger is most likely to gamble with youngsters.

marv3llous

People going a little bit overboard as always, when a youngster has a decent pre-season game. Remember Afobe, Zelalem etc? Jeff was good yesterday, but he has a looooooong way to go to even get a sniff in a competitive match for us. He had some good dribbles and it seems that trickery and technique seem to be there, which is good. However his decision making was lacking pretty much in every other situation other than the time he got an assist. Held on to the ball too long when he should have released it. That's of course something that will develop by getting to know the team mates and the style we play. I hope Wenger can do his magic with him. He seems to have a really good frame physically. Shad has a good canvas to work with.

innervisionscm

He looked better than those run-of-the-mill youngsters though. That's where the excitement comes from. The kid is clearly the goods, hopefully he develops enough to challenge for a first team spot in 3-4 years.

Rex

Zelalem is far from a 'run-of-the-mill youngster'.

USArsenal

i also wouldnt consider him the "next big thing".. he's got potential, for sure.. but there's a lot of development needed.. Jeff simply seems closer to being ready than GZ does

Burnwinter

Both are still probably a couple of years away from even being on the fringes of the first team squad, don't you think?

USArsenal

still think Jeff is closer from the limited view we had of him this weekend. Physically, he just looks closer. but tactically, he has work to do.. GZ is sort of the opposite.. he's closer tactically but physically, he looks further away

Ivansen

I believe that both Zelalem and, admittedly based purely on the two matches he's played, Adelaide will have careers at the top level, not so sure about Crowley or Akpom. The wheat and chaff is based on mentality and intelligence, rather than physical and technical, and Zelalem has that creative vision.

Rex

Neither of them will play a meaningful game in less than 2 seasons I would think. Doesn't mean they lack talent; it just means that it is hard to get into our team these days, especially in midfield and in the attacking positions.

Ivansen

The Queen of Adelaide hasn't been included in either the academy or the first team on Arsenal.com yet. Wonder if it's because Wenger isn't sure if he's ready to be placed in the first team right off the bat.

marv3llous

Zelalem never impressed me, physically inferior to everyone. Akpom will have a career in the Championship.

Rex

Akpom will certainly be a PL player. If that happens with us or not remains to be seen.

marv3llous

If he develops his touch and shot and adds muscle and running power, he can have a career in PL.

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