Getting left out of the matchday squad when fully fit is inevitably frustrating for any player, but for Nathan Tormey it must feel like torture.
The winger has played just ten minutes for Arsenal U23s this season and has made the bench on one other occasion, being left out entirely for the other fixtures.
Perhaps there is an indication that Arsenal are being cautious with Tormey, who has had several injury setbacks over the past couple of seasons to the extent that he spent much of that time on the sidelines.
However, with players who are younger than him getting more frequent opportunities, Tormey could be forgiven for being rather disappointed with his current situation.
On the rare occasions that he has been seen in an Arsenal shirt in recent years, such as in pre-season friendlies for the U23s, Tormey has provided glimpses of the quality that he possesses.
Extremely quick, the Hale End product is an impressive crosser of the ball and possesses a powerful shot, although his end product does require some improvement.
One of the main problems facing Tormey this season is that he is no longer eligible for the U18s, meaning that the U23 league and the Checkatrade Trophy are the only competitions that he has a chance of featuring in.
With Bukayo Saka having enjoyed an outstanding start to the season, Tormey has fallen further down the pecking order for Freddie Ljungberg’s side, but there could soon be some good news for the 18-year-old.
In January there is a possibility that some of the more experienced members of the U23 squad, such as Joe Willock and Charlie Gilmour, could head out on loan.
While they don’t play in the same position as Tormey, their departures would still open up a space in the squad.
Therefore, Tormey should bide his time as he waits for an opportunity to prove his credentials.
If the chance does finally arrive then, given how long he has waited, he will be especially determined to seize it.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Hearing that he hasn’t been playing so much Tormey apart.
Thanks for that Jeorge, let’s hope that he’s finally put all the serious injuries behind him.
Seems to have been around for a long time and he is still only 18? I thought his injuries would force the club to cut ties but his talent and potential game changing ability is too much to ignore or at least, enough to persist with for as long as possible. I love the player and I hope he can stay fit because he has missed so much time on the side lines.