It can often be difficult for young players to stand out, but, in one sense at least, Zech Medley does just that.
The Arsenal defender, who joined the club from Chelsea in 2016, is very tall, yet he also possesses impressive technique and excels at bringing the ball out from the back.
No longer eligible to play for Arsenal at U18 level, Medley, who helped the young Gunners to reach the final of the FA Youth Cup last season, is now aiming to establish himself as a regular for the U23s.
The centre-back has already gained plenty of experience at that level, but there is a considerable amount of competition for places at the heart of the defence when everybody is fit.
Julio Pleguezuelo and Ben Sheaf are the most experienced centre-backs, but Freddie Ljungberg can also call upon Danny Ballard and Tobi Omole, while Joseph Olowu is also a natural in that position even though he is now being deployed more frequently at right-back.
Medley, though, is determined to seize whatever opportunities are afforded to him. He did just that in the 4-0 victory over Liverpool this week as he helped his side to keep a clean sheet by producing an impressive display at the back.
Despite the emphatic nature of the scoreline, Arsenal found themselves under a considerabl amount of pressure, but Medley, along with Ballard, stood firm.
Medley will know that he won’t be able to start every game but he is gaining valuable experience and improving considerably.
During the recent international break Medley trained with the first-team and his ultimate aim will, of course, be to get back there on a regular basis.
The 18-year-old is far from the finished article but he possesses much in the way of raw quality and this could be a very important season as far as his development is concerned.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
How tall is VERY tall ?
Isn’t ‘very tall but has good technique’ sizeist – to quote Sir Pratchett? After all we have Torriera, who is not tall at all but still has good technique…
Being tall/short and playing ability aren’t necessarily interlinked.
Sticking with mediocrity is the reason we are where we are.There are much better prospects out there than players like these and still we be patient with them in the hope that one of the crows will turn out to be a phoenix.Why can’t we go and get someone like Konsa or Kelly instead? same age,home grown as well and guaranteed future first teamers.But we don’t and that’s why we are 6th and will remain there until the mindset in and around the club drastically changes.
Your name really explains your comment
Tobi Omole. That is a great name. Rolls off the tongue
Young players develop at different rates, that why the majority of knowledgeable Arsenal fans are patient with our young players.
To write someone off at 18 is quite extreme.
So far it’s been a mixture of performances from medley.
He’s quite the individual medley