The majority of Arsenal youngsters returned to training less than a week ago, but there has already been success for some and disappointment for others following their return to London Colney.
To begin with the positives, nine members of the U21 squad have been training with the first-team throughout the week with the ultimate aim of earning a seat on the plane for the club’s pre-season tour of Asia, which begins on Friday. Goalkeeper Damian Martinez appears a near certainty to be included following the departure of Vito Mannone, whilst Ignasi Miquel is likely to provide much-needed back-up at centre-back.
Swedish midfielder Kristoffer Olsson is another prime candidate to make the trip after impressing in training, but Arsene Wenger and his coaching staff will face a difficult decision on the remaining six players, with Nico Yennaris, Chuks Aneke, Thomas Eisfeld, Serge Gnabry, Gedion Zelalem and Chuba Akpom all possessing strong cases for inclusion.
Those who remain behind will form part of the U21 side that will commence their preparations for the upcoming campaign with a friendly away to Conference South side Sutton United on Friday. Wellington Silva, back from a difficult loan spell with Ponferradina, could be involved, whilst Deyan Iliev will relish the opportunity to impress in the absence of Martinez.
There has been some bad news on the injury front for some of Arsenal’s talented youngsters, however, with winger Tarum Dawkins still recovering from a problem sustained last season, whilst striker Zak Ansah was yesterday ruled out for around six months after damaging his anterior cruciate ligament for the second time.
Left-back Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill, meanwhile, will miss the first six to eight weeks of the campaign with a knee problem. These injuries hardly render the past week as the best of starts for Arsenal’s youngsters, but there has at least been some positive news, with new signings Dan Crowley and Jamaal Raage settling in well during their first week at the club.
Prior to his injury blow, Ansah had begun the new campaign with some positive news after pledging his immediate future to the club. The striker was joined by Anthony Jeffrey and Zach Fagan in signing a new professional contract.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Ansah is terrible, I can’t believe he was offered a new contract in the first place. Clearly the club feel under some sort of obligation to continue nurturing young players even those who have an unrealistic chance of ever succeeding at the club and featuring for the first time, likely increasing their wages in the process. Still, we wish a speedy recovery.
Sorry *first team
I wish I was a little bit taller, I wish I was a baller, I wish I had a girl lílólí I would call her.
Couldn’t care less, most won’t make it anyway. But Thanks for letting us know
hahaha, then why do you read it? what a dickish thing to do…
your name says it all. go forth
How many U21 players are said to be involved in the Asia Tour?
about four or five, i would expect.
Jeorge,
What has happened to Benik Afobe? Is he injured? I haven’t seen him in any of the training pics so far. Do you know whether Joel Campbell will put in an appearance in London as well?
Thanks.
he’s still injured, which is why he hasn’t been involved yet. a decision hasn’t been made yet on Campbell.
Love your updates Jeorge x
Is that a kiss you added there? Nice touch. I’m sure Jeorge is thrilled.
Nice one Jeorge.
Really hope Jamaal Raage makes it. Then I can use my “forays/four As up-field” pun.
Dream big, that’s my motto.
but there’s five As…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf5FRPfGiC8
JB, who do we have to cover for BOO, now that he is injured? Am tipping Aneke to make the trip, based on his performance on loan last season. He may not be fully ready for the premier league for now but can still be with the team till january then a move to another premier league side to assess his readiness. He has the potential to make the grade
I’d be interested to see what comes of Wellington, he’s a perennial sideshow. Really hope he can step up well, would be worth a PL loan. We’re going to need the young guns to step up in general in the absence of squad members from the senior team.
Jeorge,
You mentioned Olsson has a big chance. But clearly, last year’s preseason prospect was Eisfeld. I really rate him highly. His appearance in the COC game against Reading was that of a player ready to mature and realize his potential. He even scored a couple of blinders for the reserves or youth teams. What is the situation with him?
I’m so desperate for my fix of transfer gossip, I just went on goal.com for the first time. Now I feel like I need a shower.
Are we still heavily linked with a move for Louis Saha?
Arseblog is becoming a corporate shark.Did it already buy Jeorge Bird’s blog?How long until it submits bid for a chair in Arsenal board room!
Is Ryo considered to be part of the first team players?
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Serge Gnabry, and Ignasi Miquel and Thomas Eisfeld, have been touted for a while now but none have yet made the grade. May be they will go on loan this season to get game time at a Premier league side somewhere like Southampton. Gedion Zelalem and Kristoffer Olsson seem to be the younger hopes so I think those two will go on the tour .