When assessing Arsenal’s current first-team squad, one of the standout concerns is the lack of backup options at right-back.
Hector Bellerin is firmly established as the club’s first-choice in that position, but, although Calum Chambers and Ainsley Maitland-Niles could fill in there if required, the alternatives are rather limited should the Spaniard have to endure spell on the sidelines.
Thankfully, Arsenal have a very talented right-back in their U23 squad, with Jordi Osei-Tutu having made significant strides in his development this season.
Signed from Reading in 2015 as a 16-year-old, Osei-Tutu went on to establish himself as a regular for Arsenal U18s and struggled with his positioning at times but also showed some glimpses of the undoubted quality that he possesses.
This season Osei-Tutu has stepped up to the U23s and has thrived, producing a series of consistent performances for Steve Gatting’s title-chasing team.
Although they have now moved away from the system, for much of the campaign Arsenal U23s have operated with a 3-4-2-1 formation, which especially suited Osei-Tutu as he was able to push forwards frequently from right wing-back and provide an attacking threat.
Indeed, Osei-Tutu has scored twice for the U23s this season, including a crucial strike in the victory over Manchester City.
It is defensively, however, where the prospect has made the most progress as he has become a much more dependable player who makes interceptions with regularity and can use his strength to excellent effect.
Osei-Tutu’s development hasn’t gone unnoticed by Arsene Wenger, who has named him as a substitute in the FA Cup, the Europa League and the Carabao Cup this season.
Although he has yet to make his competitive debut, there is a good chance that Osei-Tutu will feature for the first-team in some capacity next season, while he could also benefit from a loan spell at some point.
Arsenal need a player who can put pressure on Bellerin and challenge him for his place, and the evidence suggests that Osei-Tutu could eventually be the individual to fill that void, while he appears ready to step up at short notice at an earlier juncture if needed.
It is hoped that Osei-Tutu will help Arsenal to glory in Premier League 2 this season, but the biggest accolade for the youngster would be to establish himself in the first-team squad.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
I’m as happy at this for the news of back up for Bellerin as I am of the prospect of another academy graduate.
Great to see so many talented young players coming through at my club. Come on Arsenal!
Excellent.
Now bench Xhaka and play Osei-Tutu!
…and even better, Sack Venga!
Is that you Mr. Wenger 🙂
Naitimreh, IF Xhaka was going to be benched it would be an experienced or at least a natural CM to replace him. Not a RWB from U23
He is older then your grand-dad.have some respect #Naitimreh
I’m only messing about mate. This is not the type of place to bother giving proper opinions – look at the reaction to your (perfectly reasonable) comment for instance.
I am one of the few who supports the manager unconditionally!
LOL!
Interesting development indeed. Will be good to have someone pushing Bellerin.
Crazy how quickly things change. Wasn’t so long ago we felt stacked in at right back when Bellerin first broke into the squad, with Debuchy, Chambers and Jenkinson in addition to the young Hector.
Anyway, good to see a youth team prospect doing well in a position we need reinforcements in.
Stacked in numbers but not quality… a lot of times I’ve heard that we’d be happy with two *quality* players in each position (except CB). So as long as we have that over numbers.
And at that point Debuchy was quality.
https://media2.giphy.com/media/3o7TKDRmc2uZU2WuVG/200.gif#3-grid1
Yeah.and lets not forget we got our spanish fashionista flash outta nowhere after he grabbed his chance with both hands.can’t see why osei-tutu can’t replicate that if he has the pedigree.all the best to him.
Dont suggest loan deal to Arsene please!
Yet another exciting youth prospect from our academy…….surely we need to now start guarding these guys like a hawk from ‘kid’-nappers such as Barcelona who seen to be developing an irritating habit of ‘napping’ our talented youngsters….DNA touting kid nappers!
If he’s not playing in MF then I’d rather AMN was cover at RB.
I’m sure Osei-Tutu would be decent cover but first team experience is preferred.
As much as I’d like this lad to succeed it’s pretty fanciful at this point to see him as back up to Bellerin.
Hector needs serious competition for his place from an experienced right back.
Yawn…
I’d very much like to see him being given his debut at Ostersund’s in our next European League match. Hector could do with a rest by not having to make the trip to Sweden and I have faith in our youngsters and the rest of the squad.