Jeff Reine-Adelaide has had to be patient as he waits for his chance to make the breakthrough into the Arsenal first-team and the Frenchman seems especially determined to seize his opportunity.
Although he is officially a member of the senior squad, Reine-Adelaide is by no means guaranteed to be part of Unai Emery’s plans for the new campaign. His early performances in pre-season, however, may well give his new manager something to think about.
Granted, the opposition, Boreham Wood and Crawley Town, hasn’t been of a particularly high standard, but Reine-Adelaide has still managed to seize his opportunity by scoring in both fixtures, which will surely earn him a place on the plane to Singapore for the next leg of pre-season.
A player who has endured much misfortune with injuries, Reine-Adelaide bounced back to produce some encouraging displays while he was on loan at Angers in the second half of last season and certainly seems a more mature player for the experience.
It was three years ago that Reine-Adelaide first announced himself to Arsenal supporters in pre-season and now he is ready to make an impact again, with the main aim for him being to make his Premier League debut this season and push on from there.
Reine-Adelaide’s versatility could well prove to be hugely beneficial as far as his chances of making the breakthrough are concerned. Arsenal are well stocked for central midfielders but don’t have many natural wingers to call upon, and Reine-Adelaide is capable of making an impact when deployed on either flank.
If he features in the games against Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain then Reine-Adelaide will be eager to catch the eye again and demonstrate to Emery that he deserves to be involved with the squad this season.
Another plus point for Reine-Adelaide is that at the age of 20 he doesn’t have to be included on the senior list for either the Premier League or the Europa League, which is rather useful given that Arsenal are currently over the limit with regards to players for both squads.
Reine-Adelaide has, so far at least, approached pre-season with the correct attitude and is yielding the results. Now the tests will start to get more difficult and if he can adapt then it will be intriguing to see whether he could become a useful player during Emery’s first season at the club.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Would be great to see him finally kick in after all of his injury troubles. Still remember the celebration videos of the players after one of the FA Cup wins, Ozil had his arm around The Jeff’s shoulder praising him as the future of the club. I hope we’ll see it this season.
Certainly have high hopes, and I’m very pleased to see that after recovering from injuries he didn’t look back in Angers.
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I really can’t remember the last time I was this excited for a new season. No expectations. Just pure excitement. COYG
Me too; it’s like I am heading slowly home with a wrapped gift that seems like something I can tell by feeling the contours, yet still feel like I am up for a pleasant surprise. Can’t wait!
8 nil then 9 nil.
Keep that progression going and we’ll have a great season.
looking forward to beating man city 13-0 on the first game of the season
What happen if we lose 10-0 against PSG?
I’ll change the red thumb I gave your comment to green.
Like the Boss said, my locker is very full of skills! … Or was it that my locker had a lot of space for growth? I’ll just go ask him now…
What?!?! When??? No one tells me anything around here!!
Just watched the boreham wood highlights – didn’t recognise the Jeff, he’s bulked out significantly! Adding strength to his guile will hopefully enable him to break through
As I mentioned, too many people all too easily get fooled by shiny new things. Applaud for Guendouzi when the Jeff was the one who had the greater impact. If he can kick on this season, there are players in midfield that may soon need replacement in a season or so in Ramsey, Ozil or Mhkitaryan. Bright prospect for both but the Jeff I mentioned last season was one to watch. He was performing well for the U23s/U20s and looks like he can deliver something this season. Add into frame possibly AMN, we may have better options than just the… Read more »
“Applaud for Guendouzi”
What applaud? He only just signed, no one was making applauds in the first preseason game. They don’t even play in the same position FFS.
“Jeff had the greater impact”. It’s liyerally 2 preseason games. Chill.
And seriously, f*ck off with the constant snipes at Elneny. Did he John Terry your wife or something?
Really hope Elneny has an amazing season as well, mainly for Arsenal’s sake, but also to see how you handle that.
Thanks Jorge on the update (I’m the guy that’s been pestering you about his performances on his loan). I know I get too attached to academy players (was and still is a Wellington Silva fan) and I usually do go overboard at blogs for writing off particular players unfairly, but the Jeff right off (barely got mentioned for the Borham Wood game, rarely gets mentioned unless it’s a list of “players we need to sell”) and I think it’s grossly unfair. He’s not only a kid with talent, but he has question this current team really lack since we sold… Read more »
Really impressed so far with The Jeff. I’m gonna call him The BFJ from now (Big F…..g Jeff) as he is a unit now! Could be ready for a slow and steady introduction to first team games.
Not sure how Emery will stack the midfield. Certainly Torreira will occupy the bottom of the diamond. Granit will deploy right or left, Ozil or Ramsey should be at apex. Which means space open for one more next to Granit to play the interpretive role. That could be Guendouzi or the Jeff but likely Mhkitryan will be first pick to the right. AMN can also feature or develop to back up Torreira with Elneny a more experience option before we consider the likes of Chambers (strictly last case scenario IMO) So plenty of opportunity for some young and dynamic players… Read more »
Every single players seems up for the challenge. Even Perez and Jenkinson looks dangerous. Our defenders are also sharp. Seems like everyone want to prove their worth to Emery. Must be a headache to pick which player to go.
Really wanna see The Jeff push on with us now that his injury woes are behind him. Thanks Jorge for always bringing us the academy/reserves news.
I’m kind if hoping we don’t by this left winger a lot of people seem to be clamouring for.
It would leave a space free for Nelson, The Jeff or Iwobi to attempt to make their own.
Also it might afford Lucas Perez the opportunity of some game time – a player who should have been given more chances.
Otherwise the path to the first team looks well and truly blocked to these players, all of whom have strong potential, with better or more experienced options around them in their other favoured positions.