Tyreece John-Jules had already been involved with the Arsenal first-team this season, with the talented young striker having been an unused substitute on two occasions in the Europa League.
This week, however, the 18-year-old enhanced his reputation considerably as he emerged off the bench to score his first senior goal in the 3-2 victory over Dubai, with his strike proving decisive.
A player who isn’t short of confidence, John-Jules has trained with the first-team on several occasions this season but recently found himself back in the U18s as he looked to regain his fitness following an injury.
John-Jules is certainly firing on all cylinders now and will be determined to finish the season strongly with the U23s, while he could perhaps feature as the U18s go in search of the league title.
The prospect could be forgiven, though, for already thinking ahead to the summer, when he will hope to be involved in Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the United States.
With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette likely to be available for that trip and Eddie Nketiah another potential inclusion, it isn’t guaranteed that John-Jules will get a place on the plane.
However, if he manages to impress in the final weeks of this season and build upon his strike in Dubai then John-Jules could well be involved.
Next season it seems unlikely that Nketiah will be heavily involved with the U23s as he will either be promoted to the first-team squad or sent out on loan.
That should enable John-Jules to become Arsenal’s leading striker for the second-string, although he will face considerable competition in that regard from Folarin Balogun, who has been prolific for the U18s this campaign.
John-Jules will be seeking to improve upon his tally of two goals in 13 Premier League 2 appearances this season, but his all-round game is of a very high standard, especially when his link-up play is taken into account.
In addition, he is versatile and capable of making an impact whether deployed in his usual position up front, on either flank or as an attacking midfielder.
His goal in Dubai saw John-Jules catapulted into the consciousness of Arsenal supporters but he will be determined to ensure that he finds the net for the senior team on many more occasions.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Eddie should get a bundesliga loan next season. Will probably be chances for both TJJ and Balogun to get some minutes in the league cup.
Crazy the amount of promising attackers coming out of hale end right now. Greenwood impressing too.
Breaking through as a CF has to be the hardest position too. Defenders can ease themselves in and midfielders can have off games. CF’s basically need to hit the ground scoring and if they don’t they get shipped. I feel like Eddie could do with a few goals, not looking cutting edge for a while now after all the hype post Norwich.
A loan to Eredivisie would probably be the best, if he’s to keep those scoring numbers up against men. Bundesliga or Eredivise hopefully.
Look at Alexander Isak’s progress with Willem II and the Swedish NT since his January move from Dortmund.
I know what you mean by
“Defenders can ease themselves in”
but it did make me laugh when I
thought about our current defence
I also feel a loan for Nketiah where he can get game time is best. It will also give other youngsters the opportunity to move up the academy ladder. It would be sad to see Nketiah be like Chuba where he never had a real chance at arsenal.
Great goal from our cat-like striker!
His skills are nice, his goals are nice… he’s just nice, period!
‘Atta boy! Hope you’ll work into Emery’s plans soon.
Love the name and would love a home-grown striker to make it big. Home-grown anything really, but still.
We need to encourage talented youngsters and he certainly looks to be a prospect in two or three seasons.