Almost every year there tends to be a host of departures from the Arsenal academy, with players inevitably moving on to pastures new having either been released or having decided that they may have a better chance of succeeding elsewhere.
This year is unlikely to be any different. Tobi Omole and Matthew Dennis have already been let go and there could well be further departures.
One of those could be Ben Sheaf, who has just returned to Arsenal following a productive loan spell at Doncaster Rovers, for whom he featured prominently.
Sheaf is a talented player and is very professional in his approach, but at the age of 22 he may feel that he has to leave Arsenal to play regularly elsewhere.
Tolaji Bola, meanwhile, is 21 years old and has yet to make a senior appearance. The left-back is still under contract at Arsenal but he is another player who would perhaps benefit from kick-starting his career at another club.
A decision will also have to be made on Jordi Osei-Tutu, who finished his loan spell at VfL Bochum in superb form. Osei-Tutu demonstrated that he is perhaps best suited to playing as a right winger but with Arsenal having several options in that department it wouldn’t be a major surprise if he too was to move on, despite the quality that he possesses.
The main focus remains on Folarin Balogun, whose future at the club is undecided. The striker’s situation should become somewhat clearer over the next couple of weeks, with the youth teams set to return to training.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
I would be very sad to see Tolaji Bola go, especially as he has been called up to train a few times with the first team this season. I think it would be prudent both strategically and financially to offload Kolasinac and have Bola step up in his place.
I agree, he looks a talent. But we don’t just need good players, they need to be the best. It’s no surprise that only one player in every generation making the step up is as good as we can hope. In all honesty, it’s more than likely that Nelson, Nketiah and Willock all don’t quite make the leap, given the intensely high standard required. There are so many players from our academy who have gone on to have solid premiership / championship careers and if we think that is their ceiling, it’s not fair on either party to hold on… Read more »
I thought Balogun’s departure had already been confirmed – or maybe that was just rumour at the time? Either way, I hope he stays as it looks like there’s a good player there.
He refused our contract extension, but maybe the nketiah red card will work in our favour with him if he gets a spot on the bench maybe he’ll change his mind
It was in the Sun so must have been true.
Balogun might be on the bench for the next 3 matches
Could there be a better fairytale than him coming off the bench to score the winner at the North London Derby on his debut?
A lovely thought but the mere fact that Folarin Balogan hasn’t been training with the first team squad since the restart suggests that he won’t figure. The u23s are currently in their off season so apart from his own personal fitness program, he’s not going to be fit enough to make his first team debut. Having not trained with the first team since before lockdown is his biggest obstacle.
The player with the best chance of replacing Eddie on the bench for Sunday is probably Trae Coyle.
What about Inanimate Carbon-rod? I hear he is in talks with the Reactors.
With the uncertainty surrounding the future of Matteo Guendouzi, and the number of bodies in central midfield next season; I hope Ben Sheaf gets a look in in the months ahead. Hopefully the hard work he has put in and his productive loan spell will be rewarded.
The same could have been said of Jordi Osei-Tutu; although having signed Cedric Soares long term, he may feel his pathway is somewhat blocked.
What I would have done if I was in charge. – Keep Tolaji Bola and sell Kolasianac. Tierney is in great form and shape. Saka and Maitland Niles can also act as cover. – Extend Jordi Osei-Tutu’s contract and send him on another loan. He’s impressive and could be in the team the following season. Bellerin is starting to look a bit good but he’s not impressive enough. I will probably keep him for another season and see what happens. He has to compete Cedric and Maitland Niles in that position. – Ben Sheaf will stay with the first team… Read more »
Kola. Wages make him one of top five or ten best paid left back in world. Which is why difficult to sell.
Imo he is a strong and fast direct player . I like him at left side if a three CB. To quote are Pearce he is a Man you will know you been in a game against him.
Watching from a distance, it’s hard to know what to think about these decisions. I simply don’t know enough about the players involved and have to trust that Per and his team know what they are doing.
I have watched Sheaf in the under23s and at Doncaster he makes other players look good. He is a supplier not a front man and when the premier league realise this the boy will go far . He is a first class player in
Sheaf made Whiteman look good this year as his passing was first class . He can use both feet and the future should be good for the lad