A lot has changed for Cohen Bramall in a very short space of time but the left-back certainly doesn’t look out of place at Arsenal.
A surprise January signing from non-league side Hednesford Town, Bramall has had several training sessions with the Arsenal senior squad since his arrival, but has been playing for the U23s, for whom he has made seven appearances so far.
Although there were some initial teething problems – he was caught out defensively on a couple of occasions in his early outings for the club – Bramall has become increasingly assured of late and produced his best performance to date in the U23s’ 5-2 victory over Reading this week.
The 21-year-old was a frequent threat down the left flank with his searing speed and Reading simply couldn’t cope with him as he scored his first goal for the club and set up Yaya Sanogo’s second.
Bramall has also noticeably made steps forward with regards to the defensive side of his game and is now making more precisely timed judgements regarding when to push forwards.
Arsenal have two more U23 games remaining this season – away to Sunderland and at home to Manchester United. If fit, Bramall will start both games and he will hope to make a major impact as the young Gunners look to conclude their campaign strongly.
Next season, however, will be pivotal for Bramall as it is the year in which a concrete decision will be made regarding his Arsenal future.
Essentially, Bramall will either force his way into the first-team squad or be released – with his age dictating that he doesn’t have as much time on his side as many of the other players in Arsenal’s U23 team.
The early signs suggest that Bramall could well fulfil his objective of succeeding at Arsenal. He offers something rather different with his directness and sharp crosses, while the fact that he has come from non-league football means that Bramall knows that hard work is essential in order to progress.
There is uncertainty surrounding Arsenal’s left-back options in the first-team at present, especially with Kieran Gibbs’ contract expiring at the end of next season, and if he continues to progress then it isn’t beyond the realms of possibility that Bramall could become the club’s second choice option in that position in time for the 2018/19 campaign.
Bramall has certainly fared well so far but he must continue to develop further.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Would love him to make it.
reports today that Arsenal are signing Schalke 04 left back Sead Kolašinac, could we actually see him and Bramall be our two left backs next season with both Monreal and Gibbs leaving this summer.
Deserves a run out in cup games next season. Got to be better than Gibbs, surely.
It the rumours of Kolasinac signing a pre contract is true, Gibbs is probably getting shipped in the summer. I like the idea of having Kolasinac and Monreal splitting time at the start of next season. Monreal could probably benefit from not playing week in, week out. I do think Nacho’s got some great games left in him for next season but not with his current workload. Bramall pushing on from underneath should do everyone good.
The war chest is truly out with signings of end of contract players
I would love for him to succeed. Monreal has had good performances this season but he’s only getting older. I’d like for us to sign Ricardo Rodriguez from Wolfsburg. He’s half Chilean and he could fit well on the left side with Sanchez (if he stays another season)
Decent hair.
Well done David Dein.
Not only did you bring us Alexis, Ozil, Santi and Cech but you also scoured the lower leagues and found gems like Holding and Bramall.
And you nurtured the likes of Iwobi and Bellerin.
Well done.
I’m not sure why it would be such a do or die situation for Bramall next season. He is 21yrs. If he needs one season on loan to beef him up and edge some experience into, it is perfectly acceptable. Most players are not fully formed till 23yrs. Throwing him into the deep end when he isn’t ready and relying on him will be the bigger mistake. BOTH Monreal and GIbbs are getting on. Even if we should keep Monreal one more season, Bramall if he should fulfill promise can cycle back in in a season. If we should keep… Read more »
Agreed, don’t see why we need to get him in the first team or let him go. Kolasinac and Monreal are going to be first team next season, and a loan spell with the right championship club would do Bramall a lot of good.
its because next year is the last time he can play for the first team as an under 21 player. the season after we have to name him in the first team squad. it seems unlikely that we would name 3 left backs in the 25 man first team squad therefore he needs to do enough next season to earn a place for the following season. If he doesn’t he will be loaned out/sold/released.
At that age he should be seeing some first team football. I know he came from the lower leagues but he should either be in the rotation next year or go on loan to a lower level premier league team and get some experience.
“more precisely timed judgements regarding when to push forwards”. Can’t we just tell him not to push the forwards?