What was set to be an eventful end to the campaign for Stephy Mavididi has instead petered out in extremely frustrating fashion.
Having shown much promise with his lively performances for Arsenal at youth level in recent seasons, the striker was sent out on loan to Charlton Athletic late in the January transfer window to gain his first experience of senior football.
The initial signs were certainly very encouraging as, although he failed to find the net for his temporary side, Mavididi tormented opposing defenders, with his fearlessness very much in evidence.
Soon, however, the England youth international was stopped cruelly in his tracks as in late February he suffered a serious hamstring injury that has, in all likelihood, brought his season to an abrupt end.
Mavididi has since returned to Arsenal for treatment and was said to be in tears when informed that his spell at Charlton was over.
The saving grace, however, is that, at the age of just 18, all is certainly not lost for Mavididi. It is hoped that his injury won’t have any long lasting effects on his game and that he can make a full recovery in time for next season.
Another loan spell could well be on the agenda once he is back available but before that Mavididi could well play a part in the EFL Cup, a competition in which he was named on the bench this campaign.
A hard-worker whose game is about much more than just goals, Mavididi’s link-up play has notably improved in recent campaigns, whilst he is also effective at drifting into wide areas and taking on defenders.
It is hoped that this will just be a minor setback in Mavididi’s career, but he will be all too aware that the hugely talented Eddie Nketiah, who has been excellent this season, will be ready to overtake him in the pecking order at any given opportunity.
Mavididi, though, should still get his chance and this setback could well make him even more determined to achieve his aim of making the breakthrough at Arsenal.
—
Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
COME ON MAVIDIDI MY SON!!!
I don’t know Ted, I don’t know if “Ted” is the sort of name Stephy’s dad would have :D. (The humor is not lost on me btw, just trying to keep it going)
So you refer to your son by his last name?
Wonderful father, you are
While you sound like a green puppet with magic powers!
Wenger out!
Give it a fucking rest, man!
Mavididi is an awesome striker and youth product, it’s encouraging he’s so determined and I hope his bounce back is immense. Looking forward to seeing him get chances in the first team in the future if he continues to bring it.
Curious to see how he develops as a player, as he has a lot of the same traits which make Danny Welbeck effective: hard work, pace, direct running, etc.
good luck to the lad. Time is on his side…
Here’s hoping he makes a full recovery and continues his progress. I wasn’t impressed the first time I saw him, he was just bigger than the other kids (or so I thought, I’m definitely not scout material). But he’s really trained on, improving in all aspects of his game. Looking like a very big prospect.
Hope it’s with us.