At first glance, Arsenal’s signing of Cohen Bramall might seem a little perplexing.
It is very rare for the club to express interest in a non-league player, let alone to push ahead with signing them.
However, assessing the situation a little further, Bramall’s signing certainly makes sense, especially when it is taken into consideration that the 20-year-old will go into the U23 squad as opposed to being thrown into the senior set-up.
Arsenal currently have a lack of options at left-back at youth level. Marc Bola has developed well in recent seasons but could be sent out on loan next season, while Tolaji Bola can also play there.
Beyond that, however, there isn’t much choice for coach Steve Gatting, with a signing in that area for the youth team having been needed for some time.
Bramall’s arrival hasn’t yet been officially confirmed, but, once he does join, it will be interesting to see how he adapts to life at his new club. Possessing searing speed and good strength, Bramall may well take some time to adjust to Arsenal’s style of play but he certainly performed sufficiently to impress Arsene Wenger in his two-day trial at the club.
In the longer term, Arsenal’s first-team left-back options will also need to be rejuvenated in the not too distant future, with Nacho Monreal set to turn 31 next month and Kieran Gibbs having again struggled with injuries this campaign.
There could, then, be a feasible route for Bramall into the Arsenal first-team should he impress at youth level. Even if he fails to make the cut, however, it is still a remarkable story for him to sign for the club in the first place.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Who was the last defender to come out of the youth setup before Bellerin? Gibbs?
In terms of establishing themselves in the 1st team squad then it would have to be Cole. Although you could argue Jenkinson was the same age as this kid with a relatively similar situation (he’d played most on loan at Welling and Eastbourne when he joined).
Well duh. Chatzitheodoridis (did I spell that right) was a complete bust. We need the bodies in there.
Even if this is the only reason we’ve signed him, and don’t expect him to be a first team player, I don’t view it as a selfish decision. The boy was made redundant recently and the kind of training he will receive at Arsenal will give him a better career than he would ever have had before.
Who was the last defender to come out of the youth setup before Bellerin? Gibbs? We seem to have a lot of promising attacking players, but not many defensive prospects coming through the youth ranks.
Coquelin could qualify as a defensive player, but apart from that I’d say Gibbs.
Jenks came straight into the First Team squad from Charlton, if I remember correctly.
One area that arsenal youth team seems to suffer from is defensive, we have a lot of offensive players who are trying to find their way. when you have junior teams i feel they should be molded in the like of the senior team, so has to provide a good supply source of players for the senior squad and less need to go outside. I hear people speaking about players who are defensive reaching the senior squad from the junior squad, but in truth we have not have had much. I think we need more talents and our scouts must… Read more »
Read he plays very like Ashley cole like him or hate him personally I hate him but cole was a great defender love to see arsenal buying a young english player from non league when they get to the top they appreciate it more
Might be a diamond in the rough. Real shame for Gibbs, but he’ll return soon. He has otherwise had some really excellent performances this year imo.
I’m really rooting for Gibbs I still rate him highly.