Olayinka ready to push on after signing professional contract

This was a significant week for James Olayinka, with the Arsenal youngster putting pen to paper on his first professional contract.

Given that a host of his team-mates are still awaiting a decision on their futures at the club, the fact that Arsenal have given Olayinka a new deal speaks volumes about the high regard in which the club hold him.

For all their belief in the Hale End product, though, it is clear that Olayinka still has much developing to do.

Capable of playing as a winger but most frequently deployed in central midfield, Olayinka relishes bursting forwards and linking up with attacking players.

However, the 18-year-old isn’t especially strong in a physical sense and can get brushed off the ball easily; something which has happened frequently at U23 level this season.

Nonetheless, Olayinka has much time on his side to improve further and there is a feeling that once he gets a little taller and stronger he will be able to deliver more consistent performances.

Olayinka certainly possesses some impressive raw qualities – he is excellent technically and a fine dribbler, while he also does much sterling work with regards to the defensive side of the game.

Between now and the conclusion of the campaign, Olayinka, who has also filled in at right-back on some occasions, will seek to continue to gain further experience at U23 level and potentially train with the first-team on some occasions.

A hard-working player, Olayinka has battled arduously to reach this stage of his career, but he knows that the tough work really starts now and he will face even more difficult challenges.

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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird