The new academy league season is just five games old, yet there is already hope that Arsenal U18s will be able to deliver a more consistent set of results this time around after suffering the ignominy of finishing bottom of the lowest division last campaign.
Frans De Kat’s side have won three of their games so far, with two of those successes coming within the past week against Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United. Here are details on some of the young Gunners who have impressed at this level in the early weeks of the campaign.
Hugo Keto
Finnish goalkeeper Hugo was one of the few bright sparks to emerge from last season and, despite struggling for form during pre-season, he has been back to his best since the campaign got underway.
An excellent shot stopper, Keto is often called upon on several occasions during games with a shaky defence ahead of him, but he has been hugely impressive so far, and made some good saves against West Ham recently.
Edward Nketiah
A diminutive yet quick striker who was previously on Chelsea’s books, Edward started the season as a substitute but has forced his way into the starting line-up with some excellent displays. The forward, who can also operate out wide if required, has been clinical in front of goal so far this season.
Reiss Nelson
The only outfield schoolboy to have been selected for the U18s this season, Reiss has established himself as a regular for De Kat’s side. Used on the left wing or alternatively as a central attacking midfielder, the England youth international is skilful and a persistent danger to opposing defences.
Yassin Fortune
A French forward who arrived at the club in the summer from Lens alongside Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Yassin has already made his debut at U21 level. The vast majority of his football has come at U18 level, however, and the youngster was hugely impressive when deployed on the left flank against West Ham.
Savvas Mourgos
Greek central midfielder Savvas initially struggled to adapt to English football after joining the club last year but he is now one of the most experienced members of the team and has captained the side in recent weeks. An intelligent passer of the ball, he still requires some improvement in a physical sense but has developed well of late.
Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
More immediate matters to bother about.
Oh piss off you party pooper!
Exactly!
I mean, these players won’t be available for first team for at least another 3-5 years. What kind of people would put time and effort towards something happening after 3-5 years? It’s like planning 12-18 years of education for having a living after all those years. Now, who in their sane minds would do that?
Giroud missed some chances for france! Disband the youth team and fire gunnersaurus!!!
Or disband the youth team and promote Gunnersaurus to our new #9
Foxes in the box are overrated, we need dinosaurs in there.
Want to ask a question. Can we produce a striker that should and can only play as a lone striker instead being used out wide. I really dont remember anyone from our youth who can only play as a striker but also playing out wide.
Most good strikers can also play wide. Especially at youth level!
Stop making names up blogs.
Hugo keto
Yassin Fortune
Frans De Kat
Nobody is gonna believe any of these
You mean, Jeorge Bird (the author) has been bitten by the Arseblog bug…so an outbreak of bird flu!
I’ll let myself out.
Well I think there should be some video links for footage. Nothing like inspiring the youngsters at school to emulate these guys as well as the first team. In some ways, they might see the young but flawed stars as more achievable than the polished first teamers.
Worth the watch for everyone out there. Obviously previous seasons haven’t gone as well as we’d hoped, but the kids always find a way to put away some pretty quality goals.
Reiss Nelson is going to be a star IMO. Very exciting player.