As expected, the much-hyped transfer deadline day passed with little in the way of manoeuvre at Arsenal, besides Ryo Miyaichi’s loan move to Bolton and the acquisition of 19 year old Borrusia Dortmund midfielder Thomas Eisfeld.
Eisfeld, who has played for Germany at youth level and impressed for Dortmund’s under-19s in the first half of the season, could make his Arsenal debut for the Reserves away to Swansea tonight and his arrival adds to Arsenal’s collection of young, promising midfielders.
In addition to the likes of Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey, who are already well established as first-team players, the club also have under contract Henri Lansbury and Chuks Aneke, who are both on loan at present, whilst Oguzhan Ozyakup and Conor Henderson both have first-team minutes under their belts.
Delving a little deeper into the system, the trio of Serge Gnabry, Jon Toral and Kristoffer Olsson, all of whom were acquired last summer, have shone at various stages for the under-18s so far this campaign, with Gnabry and Toral also making the step up to the Reserves.
That’s not to even mention Alban Bunjaku, the 17 year old whose future at the club remains uncertain following a disagreement with coaching staff and Jack Jebb, a promising England youth international who has recently returned from injury.
It does seem somewhat strange that the club appear to be stockpiling creative talents whilst other areas, the full-back berths in particular, are not exactly brimming with first-team stars of the future.
It seems that Eisfeld will, if not this season, then certainly next, receive a share of first-team game time, which could have negative consequences for the likes of Lansbury, who is currently in his fourth loan spell away from the club.
On the other hand, it should allow Ozyakup and Henderson to gain some much-needed experience out on loan next season, whilst the younger talents are still some way off the first-team reckoning.
Not all of those mentioned above will succeed in carving out a long-term career at the club, whilst some are also capable of operating on the flanks, which could be their best route into the first-team initally.
Whatever transpires, it will certainly be interesting to see the eventual fate of this cluster of prospects. Eisfeld’s arrival has muddied the waters further still, but if Arsenal are to succeed in creating a steady production line of talents, fierce competition is necessary.
His face is like a mashup of Arshavin (generally) and Vermaelen (for the ice cold serial killer-like stare).
The skills of Arshavin with the attitude of Vermaelen would be a pretty mean player.
Hopefully, it doesn’t turn out to be the work rate of Arshavin crossed with the ability to stay healthy of Vermaelen.
indeed
I hope this signing is a wenger classic, who knows he could have the Cesc career but he doesn’t join FC Cuntelona
Sounds good. It’s not like all of these guys will make it. I do fear for Lansbury though. I would love us to start stockpiling some strikers too.
There are some *fantastic* sounding names in this piece. I hope their football is as exotic and full of win as their names.
Well his opening video was quite modest to say the least….. No crazyass stuff n funky music like santos…… Lets see how he unfolds….
I thought Bunjaku had been released and was trialing with other clubs?!
he’s still trialling at other teams but is contracted to Arsenal in the meantime.
Thanks for the reply Jorge.
Is it likely that he’ll be retained? I’ve only heard good things about him.
Well, we do have a number of wingers and midfielders. Even goalkeepers, with martinez being a great prospect.
The clear issue is at left back and striker. Other than afobe and angha, there’s no real standout names there(i’m excluding campbell because i have no idea on his work permit issue). Yennaris is a central mid, who plays at rb. We need a luke shaw-esque player
Eisfeld adds to depths of midfield potential
Please change it to
Eisfed adds to depths of misfed potential
The only thing this adds depth to is the reserve squad… Ambition-less waste of time…. MEDIOCRITY has taken over
Yeah let’s never develop young players… Surely that won’t blow up in our face
It’s not strange that creative/ attacking midfielders are being stockpiled. Those are the types of players that Wenger likes, so he keeps acquiring them because there is no one to stop him doing what he likes.
I’ll wait to see him play before I pass judgment.
Aw, who am I kidding…BISCHOFF!! BISCHOFF!! FUCKING BISCHOFF! BURN WENGER! HANG THE BOARD!
A cynic could also say that a plethora of skilled attacking midfielders under 20 are going to be nice fat cash cow$ in a few years when they’ve learnt their trade with us
I’d add: AM is a key area for any top team and finding the next messi*, ronaldo, sneider, cesc, silva is super important – especially playing the 4-3-3 when at least one wide man is really an AM with pace. Clearly AW is trying to get the best that he can for the club in this position as early (as cheaply) as possible. To get these players in the early 20s is prohibitive (Hazard, Goetz), in their mid to late 20s only Real Madrid and City seem able to afford their transfer and especially their wages. Cesc cost what he… Read more »
No comments on the young German as I have nothing to go by. I’m sure we’ve scouted him thoroughly and done the due diligence. I do question the ever growing ranks of uber young players vs. the prudent addition of mid 20s players who are established first team players with experience. One can only assume it’s a “teach them the right way from the start” mentality vs. having to correct bad habits all centrally designed around our stylized way of playing the beautiful game the right way. I hope he brings something new to the squad and turns out to… Read more »
I thought Bunjaku had already left for West Ham?
Is Lansbury a first choice at West Ham? We seem to have a truly enormous squad now with few standout stars RvP Jack W Kos TV and Schez aside
Why can’t we clear out wages of the not good enough? Watt Eastmond Hoyte Pedro etc or do we make profit on their loans in which case good business!
Serious amount needs moving on in Summer good news for agents but suspect we pay too higher wages for average players Vela Almunia NB etc
Heard he got an assist for the reserves today. Anyone knows if it true?
I saw the video and it was kind of an assist, he took a shot and the keeper saved it but went straight to another arsenal player who scored
MMMM what a fittty xxx