Fortune, Huddart and Sheaf enhance their reputations with South African success

Despite the myriad of disappointments that occurred last season in terms of results, there has been a renewed sense of optimism surrounding the Arsenal youth set-up during pre-season as a consequence of the exciting arrivals from elsewhere.

The feel-good factor increased further last weekend as an Arsenal U19 side reigned supreme in the Durban International Cup in South Africa, defeating PSV Eindhoven 2-1 in the Final following a late winner from Yassin Fortune, one of the many summer acquisitions.

Whether the youngsters will be able to take that winning momentum into the new campaign remains to be seen, but the excursion in South Africa did serve to enhance the profiles of some of the club’s existing talents as well as those plucked from elsewhere.

Central-midfielder Ben Sheaf, for example, didn’t make too many headlines during his maiden season in North London following his arrival from West Ham United last summer. In Durban, though, he was named player of the tournament following some impressive displays and some excellent long-range strikes.

Another hero for the young Gunners was goalkeeper Ryan Huddart, who made several superb saves to help Steve Gatting’s side progress in the tournament. The youngster, who was named on the bench for the first-team in the Champions League last season, is tall and has excellent reflexes.

Fortune, though, was perhaps the Arsenal player who transformed his reputation the most in South Africa. The striker, who can also play out wide if required, was already considered a promising talent when he arrived at the club in the summer, but his transfer was rather overshadowed by that of Jeff Reine-Adelaide, who enjoyed an excellent Emirates Cup.

In Durban, though, Fortune demonstrated that Arsenal may well have procured not one but two extremely exciting talents from the Lens academy. Incredibly skilful and a decisive finisher, Fortune is a player brimming with confidence at present and, at just 16 years of age, he is in contention for a place in the U21 squad when the season at that level gets underway tonight against Fulham at Emirates Stadium.

Despite the departures of several young talents on loan (many of whom have made flying starts to life with their temporary clubs), Arsenal still have a strong side to pick from at U21 level when the talents of Reine-Adelaide, Alex Iwobi, Krystian Bielik, Julio Pleguezuelo and Gedion Zelalem are taken into account.

After missing out on promotion back to the top tier of U21 football last season, it is hoped that this time around the young Gunners will finally be able to go back up a division. Gatting has several intriguing attacking options to select from, whilst the presence of Stefan O’Connor and Pleguezuelo at centre-back should ensure that Arsenal concede fewer goals at that level this season.

The success in South Africa rather whetted the appetite for the academy season ahead. Now it is hoped that Arsenal’s youngsters will be able to celebrate another trophy win later this campaign.