FC Dallas winger Brek Shea will spend a month training with Arsenal after next month’s international friendlies. The USA international will join up with the Gunners in later this month with the full blessing of coach Jurgen Klinsmann.
An statement from the MLS club read, “The decision to send Shea to train with the Gunners was made after USA head coach Jurgen Klinsmann encouraged his MLS-based players to spend the off-season training overseas to enter January camp in top shape. Affording Brek the opportunity to continue to work on improving his game and measure himself among the best players in the world is something we are all excited about.”
And the player himself told Reuters he was looking forward to working with Arsena Wenger, “To see how he does things … he has had so many young players over the years and turned them into who they became, that experience will be pretty cool.
“Klinsmann has been pushing and wanting us to train in Europe in the off-season and it is good to get that experience. It’s just strictly training, and hopefully raising my game to another level. I think, obviously I am happy where I am, but I want to, eventually when the time is right, try it out and give it a shot.”
Arsenal have a strong scouting presence in North America with former Gunner Danny Karbassiyoon clocking up air miles as he forges for talent in the MLS and beyond. And Arseblog News is hoping that if he ever does play for us he shows he’s got real pace so we can run the headline: Brek. Fast.
We’re lame like that though.
‘Brek Fast’ …. Boooooooooo ;(
Or when we sign him:
Ready Brek
more like ‘Shea genius’ 😉
We also have James Shea, so that doesn’t really work……
Fast Brek for the counter!
Hopefully it won’t be Leg Brek.
At least he’s chosen a team that wants to produce the best young players and so puts lots of funds into their training and medical facilities.
Brek is good in each FM as well, so can’t be that bad……..
Having paid some close attention to the MLS (being an American and all), I can attest that Brek Shea is quite fast. He typically plays in a wide attacking role, which is a bit funny, because he was converted from fullback and central defense only relatively recently.
It’ll be interesting to see what this training brings.
He is indeed fast and he gets after fullbacks every time he gets the ball. Of late he has been linked with interest from the Premier League. His excellent choice of training with us also shows he’s not suffering any ill-effect from being managed at international level by a belly-sliding ex-Spud. Dodgy hair though.
Another American linked with the Arsenal recently is a player named Tim Ream, a center-back and teammate of Henry for New York. Good name for a center-back.
There was a recent article in the Guardian that talks about Shea: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/oct/26/brek-shea-thierry-henry-mls-wildcard
He sounds a pretty good player.
Good player. Power, pace, and decent technique. Should improve with his time training with the club. Not sure if he’s a future arsenal player but could potentially be a good not so pricey signing if he impresses. Interesting story. Anyone know if arsenal interested in buying him?
I have been following Shea for 2 years now. Great going forward. Extremely extremely physical and aggressive. Loves the challenge. Very down to earth great touch and shot. I love everything about this kid INCLUDING HIS HAIR. Imagine a larger Gerivinho with the same pace a more powerful shot and better finishing. Trade the forehead for the hair do
This kid is not a better finisher than Gervinho. Fact.
He has a lot of polishing up to do, but that is Arsene Wenger’s specialty after all, so I think this is terrific news. Shea is young and has all the tools and the on-field attitude to become really good.
As an American I really wish Arsene could’ve gotten a hold of a player like Dempsey when he was young. Could’ve taken him to a whole ‘nother level. Stuart Holden from Bolton is one American that would be a fantastic addition to the team.
75 cents you must be smoking something!! If he was better than gervinho he’d already be here !!!!! No disrespect but dominating games in the mls just isn’t the same as doing it in France and England if he’s good im sure wenger will spot it.
Sorry but France doesn’t scream quality. Just because our manager finds bargain bin players there doesn’t mean it is better than the MLS. I’m not saying MLS is better than Ligue 1 but I genuinely believe that Shea is better than Gervinho currently and will be exponentially better in the future. I have watched hours of hours upon footage of Gervinho from past seasons before he came here and was left unimpressed. I have watched hours upon hours of Shea as well and where he is at now only leads me to believe that not only is he better currently… Read more »
Save 75 cents November 4, 2011 at 9:54 pm You have spent hours and hours watching both the above named players… I am curious about your professional occupation. All managers make speculative mistakes including the masterful SAF (25 years celebration this week). I am puzzled by your lack of vision on Gervinho; it’s his first season in a very difficult league. He have scored and assisted to his team current position. Furthermore… just because your Brek shines in USA does not mean he will shine in our EPL. In my opinion if he can deal with games in Blackburn, Stoke… Read more »
LOOK GUYS WE HAVE A PROFESSIONAL SCOUT HERE. WHY ISN’T ARSENE ANSWERING YOUR EMAILS
Shea is not better than Gervihno. Sorry to hear you were not that impressed with Le Forehead in Ligue 1. It sounds like Arsenal wasted money. To prevent this in the future, you should probably send your resume to Arsenal, attention Arsene Wenger. Do not delay! January is approaching fast.
I’ve heard this guy is pretty decent. But still, im not the biggest fan of yanks… I’m surprised he knows what England is. I was once asked what my accent was when i met some yankies whilst traveling to the motherland to see the mighty gooners in which I replied “it’s Australian” to which this muppet said “where in Texas is that?”. A part of my soul died that day
Sorry that could be seen as racist. Don’t want to be going all JT on yas. But yea whoever said this guy is better than gervinho, you gotta be having a laugh mate. The forehead will be immense for the gunners for years to come. Brek shea will be immense for FC Debbie does Dallas for years to come.
OH Dear
His mother is a former olympic race walker. Enough said.
Dont like the look of him. Probably cause the Dallas hit looks like a pool rip off. Its like seeing a pretty girl, but then she smiles to reveal some fucked up teeth.
*kit
‘…that experience will be pretty cool.’
yeah. totally. sick, brah!
No way in hell is he better or faster than Gervinho. Aus Gooner, sorry alot of Americans are idiots, not all though.
Shea is a rare talent from the states. Unfortunately for the gooners, fergie will take him when the time is right.
I am 6’2″ and I’ve stood next to Shea and he’s at least 6’5″. He’s much taller than reported.
Aus Gooner, we’re not all idiots. In fact, most of us aren’t. I find that story pretty hard to believe that someone here wouldn’t know an English accent from an Australian one and think that Australia is in Texas. Due to our diversity, most people know those things just from being alive. I’m a Texan so obviously I would know that Australia’s in Oklahoma (kidding), but if the story’s true, than I’m extremely embarrassed for those idiots.