Xavier Amaechi secured his move away from Arsenal today, with the winger set to be part of the first-team squad at Hamburg.
Amaechi, who had established a reputation as one of Arsenal’s standout youth prospects, had been heavily linked with a move away from the club, especially after he was overlooked for a place on the bench in last season’s Europa League final against Chelsea.
The opportunity to test himself in senior football was hugely appealing for the 18-year-old, and he will hope to receive plenty of opportunities to prove his worth.
From Arsenal’s perspective, it is certainly hugely frustrating to lose yet another talented young player, but in this case there is little more that they could have done in order to keep Amaechi, especially with the likes of Bukayo Saka and Reiss Nelson having progressed so well.
All Arsenal can do now is focus on the youngsters that they still have at their disposal, and one of those is Matthew Dennis.
Dennis, another Hale End product, was on the scoresheet yesterday as Arsenal U18s continued their preparations for the new campaign with a 1-1 draw away to Hitchin Town.
While not being as high-profile as Amaechi, Dennis is still an interesting prospect. Capable of playing at right-back, he is perhaps better suited to playing further forwards.
When used as a winger Dennis can make use of his considerable strength, while he can also deliver impressive crosses with regularity.
Another player who could eventually benefit from Amaechi’s departure is Ryan Alebiosu, who, like Dennis, has received playing time both at right-back and as a right-winger.
Alebiosu has lots to learn in terms of his overall development and is still somewhat slight physically, but he should receive plenty of playing time at U18 level in order to continue his progress.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
As the article says, yet another “standout prospect” bites the dust. Of course you can’t keep them all, and many just turn out not to be good enough in the end, but are we really giving them a fair chance before the exit door (or the loan out, before the exit door)? Older – but still young – players such as Bielik are on their way out but, at the same time, the management insists that there will be a change. The proof doesn’t seem to be in much evidence yet.
I’d assume it’s because with Saka, Emile, John-Jules and Nelson, his chances in the first team would be very limited. Clearly the others are rated a bit more highly.
Perhaps he had an attitude problem. I really don.t get all this bullshit about him being pissed off not making the bench for the europa final. I mean seriously, wtf?! Never played a1st team game and somehow thinks he has a right to be in the squad for a european final.
I wish him well at Hamburg. It is a big club that has hit hard times. Hopefully he will play rrgularly and develop well. And Arsenal will get a big sell on fee when he moves to Dortmund to replace Sancho
Shame we can’t generate the revenue other clubs have received for talent deemed ‘not quite good enough’
Didn’t Liverpool manage to sell Solanke for £20mill, and he hadn’t really played. And Jordan Ibe.
We need to hype them up before we sell maybe?
I think it’s a double-edged sword with youngsters. You’ve gotta tie them down to long term deals to get value out of them, but the only way you’re going to tie them down is – promise game time or overpay. We can’t do either so we can’t really tie them down, hence we lose them on the cheap. City, Pool, and Chavski all over the way their youth, get them on 5-year deals and get the rewards from that. Obviously, if you don’t sell them, they just become a Mustafi/Elneny where they are on long term deals, with no resell… Read more »