The Kids Are Alright

Is Wenger playing the wrong youngsters?

6 May, 2011 10:00

Feargal Brennan 14 comments

Afobe: Surprise package?

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As another season of underachievement, littered with implosion and errors, draws to a close over the E******s - questions will once again be fired at the Arsenal squad.

Issues that will continue to rankle are the goalkeeping situation, the lack of a ‘commanding’ centre-back and a leadership void which exists within the squad.

What I want to talk about however is youth. Youth is a word that has attached itself to Arsene Wenger’s fledgling team in recent years and has been a building block of Arsenal’s recent history.

The problem has become an over-reliance on young players that lack the required talent, mental strength and maturity for a title-challenging team.

Players like Diaby, Gibbs, Denilson and Vela have all be given their chance, and for a variety of reasons they have failed to step up to the plate - and have subsequently stagnated.

Young players should offer a squad verve and a freshness which allows it to progress. The time has come for new young blood to be introduced.

Henri Lansbury has impressed on loan at promoted Norwich City this season, and deserves a first-team opportunity. The England U-21 international provides power and craft behind the Canaries’ front-line. He would be an ideal replacement for, and back-up to, Nasri, Walcott and the erratic Arshavin.

Arsenal’s lack of striker options has been highlighted this season, and two willing replacements already exist within the Gunners’ squad.

Jay-Emmanuel Thomas has scored valuable goals for Cardiff during his loan spell this season, but his pace and power are what set him apart and make him a genuine alternative for Arsenal.

Arsenal’s biggest secret weapon for the 2011/2012 season however could be teenage striker Benik Afobe. Afobe’s exploits on loan at Huddersfield Town have shown that he has the potential to be the natural goal scorer this club so desperately needs - if he is given the chance. An individual who can turn draws into valuable wins.

The message to Arsene is not to give up on youth - but to look elsewhere in his squad!

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14
comments

Mandy Dodd
May 08, 2011, 13:51 #6446

Would love to see Afobe given a chance. Some have come to a natural end to their time at Arsenal
maguiresbridge gooner
May 07, 2011, 12:20 #6388

what more inexperience and another three or four years wait while they get their experience we need two or three hardened professional's end of story.
Exiled-Gooner
May 07, 2011, 10:17 #6383

I see where the article's coming from and i too am amazed Lansbury hasn't been given his chance especially after his performance against the spuds in the league cup win.The same could be said of Bartley who gets good reviews when on loan when we need a tall C/B he gets put out on loan,Afobe done well but not ready yet,we still need to buy but these 2 players could be used as subs and start against the lesser sides which be more affective than constant loans to lower leagues.
BNG
May 07, 2011, 8:28 #6379

It isn't rocket science to manage the progress of good youngsters, send them out loan and monitor them, I don't want to watch any kids who may or may not make it playing for the Arsenal 1st team, if they're good enough like Fabregas or Wilshere cream will always rise to the top, only top notch players should play for the 1st team and AW must stop treating the club like an experiment for his failed youth policies..........but then pigs might fly
Mark
May 07, 2011, 4:51 #6374

The kids are alright? So why the preamble moan? The Who
kev g
May 06, 2011, 22:30 #6368

Only lansbury could get in the squad. Denilson and diaby are ****e and lansbury has the drive and desire to do well. Afore needs 10 chances to score 1 but has potential. Needs another year on loan. Jet is poor yet could be class if attitude was better
tom
May 06, 2011, 18:30 #6361

I think you are being unfair on Gibbs but granted someone like Lansbury will walk into the squad ahead of Denilson and Diaby.
fozzys mate
May 06, 2011, 18:24 #6359

Fergal going by this piece you are Arsenes even madder apprentice. Why not sell the whole first team for 200 million stick the money in the bank, watch the share price top 100,000 double the prices and rely on a load of even younger players who have by no means set the world alight in the championship, supplemented by an 11 year old from Papua New Guinea. Has Hillwood got his hand up your back?
Chris
May 06, 2011, 16:43 #6355

I can see the logic, Wilshere for example has shown repeatedly that he is the most passionate and determined player on the pitch and I think part of that is down to how he is Arsenal born and bred, he has a better appreciation for the legacy and history of the club. Just look at George Grahams side, the Heysel ban mean't there was a greater requirement for youth to step up and we had players able to do that who could appreciate just who they are playing for, these days we get a bunch of overpaid, pampered and underperforming princesses each week. Not saying Heysel should be repeated, but a system like what Rugby has which regulates the wage bill to an extend and provdes mroe incentive for players to come up from the academy and show what they can do.
What was the point n leaving Highbury?
May 06, 2011, 12:09 #6325

Feargal Brennan - are you really Wenger in disguise trying to warm us up for a another summer of watching proper big clubs sign players while wenger (or you) go on about how good our young guns are so we don't actualy need to sign players incase it gets in the way of Denilsons development?To be clear, Lansbury doesn't even start for Norwich so Im not sure a member of Norwichs squad will be leading an assult on Europe any time soon.
El Piresidente
May 06, 2011, 11:36 #6317

The idea that Gibbs has been "given his chance, failed to step up to the plate and stagnated" is nothing short of idiotic. The kid has had limited chances, suffered from injuries at unfortuante moments and made the odd mistake. But to include him in the same bracket as Diaby, Denilson and Vela is ridiculous. If Gibbs represents stagnation then you don't really have the patience for football in the real world and should stick to fantasy football.
Graham Yates
May 06, 2011, 10:37 #6306

I agree but the problem lies in when they are working with AW day in day out. He seems to instill his will on everybody so that every player plays the same. (Chamakh not shooting at all, since February is testament to that!). Afobe, Lansbury, Ebecilio & JET have yet to come under this spell. They have great individual skills which will slowly be coaxed out of them. I just hope Benik continues to shoot even if the pass IS the right option.
Jimmy The Gooner of Norbury
May 06, 2011, 10:01 #6299

He goes on about the youth system but actually doesnt play the likes of Lansbury etc and sticks with tripe such as Denilson and the other lot who dont give a flying fig about Arsenal. Surely you would get more passion, more drive and more hunger from youngsters such as Lansbury etc then the likes of the rubbish he continues playing?
jambo
May 06, 2011, 9:25 #6292

Sorry to burst your bubble, but JET has only socred twice in 13 appearances at Cardiff - hardly the valuable goals you refer to. Secondly, Afobe has 7 in 31 appearances in league 1 - don't think these are the guys who are gonna turn our fortunes round mate - not for a good few years at least, still need to buy!