New signings give Arsenal U23s a major boost

With effectively a whole XI of players having been loaned out from the U23 squad in the transfer window, Arsenal’s options at that level are rather thin on the ground.

Thankfully, the club have acted accordingly, securing deadline day deals for striker Nikolaj Moller and winger Joel Ideho.

Moller, a tall Swedish striker who was previously at Malmo, will provide some much-needed competition for Folarin Balogun.

While Balogun is usually prolific, he has struggled a little in some games recently and has perhaps been somewhat distracted by the incessant speculation surrounding his future.

Moller is a ready-made replacement should Balogun leave either before the domestic transfer window closes next week or in January, and, even if the Hale End product ends up staying, the new arrival is still an exciting prospect in his own right.

Meanwhile, Ideho, who was with Ajax for a short period, fills another gap in the U23 squad as he is a right winger.

In the early weeks of the season Steve Bould has been forced to use creative midfielders, such as Salah-Eddine and Catalin Cirjan out wide, which has had a negative effect on the overall balance of the team.

Ideho, who is quick and skilful, could go straight into the starting lineup for the U23s, despite also being eligible to feature at U18 level.

Arsenal deserve credit for bringing in two young players with a lot of potential.

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