Especially for a young player, the amount of injury problems that Tyreece John-Jules has had to endure has been extremely frustrating.
This week, however, there was a hugely positive moment for the 22-year-old as he scored for his loan club Derby County against Port Vale after almost three months on the sidelines.
It was just the third appearance that the striker has made for Derby and a decision will have to be made on John-Jules’ short-term future soon, with his loan spell due to come to an end at the start of January.
When fit, though, it is clear that John-Jules has a lot of quality, with his finishing and technical ability being of a very high standard.
The former England U21 international has been on numerous loan spells, spending time with Lincoln City, Doncaster Rovers, Blackpool, Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich Town prior to linking up with Derby.
John-Jules has also been on the bench for the Arsenal first-team but at this stage it appears that his chance to make a competitive senior appearance for the club may have gone.
At present the most important thing for John-Jules is to stay fit and get as much playing time as possible for Derby over the next month.
What will happen thereafter remains to be seen but it is hoped that his goal against Port Vale will be a significant step in the right direction.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Could I ask, you say “appears that his chance to make a competitive senior appearance for the club may have gone.” Is there a point at which Arsenal or other elite-level teams consider a player ‘too old’ to become a first team player? It strikes me that the phenomenon of 16/17/18 year olds being good enough consistently to play at the absolutely top level is a relatively new one. 22 is still ultimately in the first 15% or so of a player’s career (if you assume a debut at 19 and finish at 32-ish. Or is it just that injuries… Read more »
I think it’s around 22-23, sometimes a bit earlier as by that point you either need to be registered as a senior player in the Premier League squad or go out on loan. Sometimes players are given more time due to injuries but not usually beyond 22,23
Akpom scored a goal in CL for Ajax this week. There is hope if you believe in yourself. Hope the boy is strong en la cabeza.
ajax is playing the europa league this season, but yes. he’s been given the number 10 shirt also, which is quite an achievement! for those who care, auba scored a hat trick for marseille in that same match. glad our gooners are doing well
I’ve felt sorry for John-Jules, he’s a very talented young player who seems like a lovely guy and he’s just been decimated by injuries. If he can stay fit he can have a good career. Many players seem to overcome their injuries when they reach their early twenties, hopefully this is the case with him as he deserves a good run. They seem very fond of him at Derby, perhaps his loan could be extended for the rest of the season? I wish him all the best.