It is fair to say that Yassin Fortune hasn’t had much fortune since joining Arsenal.
There was a considerable amount of excitement when Fortune sealed his move to the Gunners in 2015 and suggestions were even made in some quarters that the young attacker was a better prospect than Jeff Reine-Adelaide, who joined the club around the same time.
However, while Reine-Adelaide is now part of the first-team squad, Fortune isn’t playing at all, with the latter having been ruled out for another six weeks with a recurrence of the hip problem that has already heavily disrupted his campaign.
Reine-Adelaide is just over a year older than Fortune, so it is perhaps to be expected that he is further along in his development, but the latter is still a talented player.
Fortune started last season in encouraging form. After featuring as a substitute for what was then the U21s, he went on to establish himself as a key player for the U18s, thriving on the left flank having initially been signed as a striker.
A professional contract followed, but Fortune was unable to make much of impact in the second half of the 2015/16 campaign as others jumped ahead of him in the pecking order.
Then the injuries struck, with the youngster missing the entirety of pre-season before finally working his way back to full fitness and featuring for the U18s against Fulham.
Now, though, he is set for further time out of the game and it is questionable whether Fortune will be able to command a place in the starting line-up for the U18s when he is back.
The former Lens player is still highly regarded at London Colney, however, and at his best is able to use his flair to get the better of opponents, while he is also a fine finisher.
Once he recovers from his latest injury Fortune will be determined to make a major impact and will be eager to remind everybody that he is still a very talented player.
He was definitely one of our best players in the U18’s when he was fit and playing. If he can regain his fitness he’ll be looking to break into the U23’s this season, which will be challenging considering the depth of talent in the forward areas in our academy. Good luck to him.
He’ll be hoping for a change in fortune. Right?
Alright I’ll get my coat
someone had to say it…
What an unfortunate pun.
Yep I was expecting big things from him when I first watched him play and was excited we signed him. Still could turn out to be a fine striker but it’ll be difficult with Malen, Nketiah, etc coming through as well
If I were him, I’d buy a massive ferris wheel for my garden and call the wheel of where’s my coat.
Fortune favors the patient
I’m sure he’ll come around. He’s a tough cookie.
He’s still fortunate to be at s club like Arsenal. When he gets fit he’ll get his chance
I am hoping he recovers from the injuries , a fine young prospect who reminded me of Henry in his movements, was hoping fir him to become an arsenal dtar more than even jeff with his attributes
I for one believe this kid is destined for great things