Deploying attacking players in central midfield has become something of a common theme in the Arsenal youth set-up in recent seasons.
Firstly Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who progressed through the ranks at the club as a winger, produced some encouraging displays when switched to central midfield. The same approach was then tried with Alex Iwobi, who has performed well, including at first-team level, when he has played centrally, although the youngster has since reverted to being a winger.
Now there is another starlet who has undergone a notable position change, with Joshua DaSilva, previously a powerful forward, now being utilised as a deep-lying midfielder.
That alteration has allowed other players, including Donyell Malen and Edward Nketiah, to prosper up front for the club at youth level, but it has also been of huge benefit to DaSilva, and has enabled him to enhance his tactical understanding of the game.
The prospect’s physical qualities are certainly well suited to playing centrally, while he is also a neat passer of the ball. Somewhat strangely, given that he used to be a forward, DaSilva isn’t a prolific goalscorer, but playing him in a deeper position has enabled him to become more heavily involved in Arsenal’s build up play.
The youngster is progressing well in his new position, as recognised by the fact that he made his first start for the U21s this evening in a defeat to Blackburn Rovers. As more players go out on loan next season, DaSilva should begin to establish himself in the second string and seems ready to make the step up.
DaSilva is a useful option at youth level as he can be switched to a more advanced position in the closing stages of games if required. Arsene Wenger is also keeping taps on the 17-year-old’s development and invited him to train with the first-team on several occasions earlier in the campaign.
There are still some aspects of DaSilva’s game that require improvement, most notably in a defensive sense as he needs to fine tune his ability to make interceptions without conceding unnecessary fouls.
In the main, however, DaSilva is moving in the right direction and is an intriguing prospect for the future. He certainly requires much experience of U21 football before his first-team chances can begin to be discussed, but for now the club’s decision to alter his position appears to be a successful move.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Excellent analysis, as always from Jeorge
Players moving back on the pitch is a normal part of football development. The striker is the most coveted position, and so a large proportion of people who go on to be pros start there – because they are the best person on their team and therefore get played there, where they can make the most difference. As players age and move up the ranks of the footballing academy system, they eventually reach a place where they are no longer the best person on the team, and therefore no longer have automatic dibs on a striker spot. Typically at around… Read more »
So Giroud, Theo and Welbeck are the best players on our team. Great!
Once again Jeorge with DaSilva service to us Gooners
Umm who is Joshua?
I have never seen him play, but this switching of player’s positions in the youth teams intrigues me. Joshua, Iwobi, Niles and Bielik have all had their positions changed. Will this end up like Iwobi and Niles, who have reverted back to their normal positions when deployed in the first team? I know with Joshua it is a bit more complicated as he was a striker. In my view, he will be there for the rest of his career as I cannot see why and how he can be reintroduced to that role. Bielik is another matter all together. his… Read more »
I have never heard about the lad, so thanks again George for keeping us in tune. He seems another excellent talent and goes to show the depth of talent we now have coming through the academy . I am sure Nothing pleases us more, as fans, than to see one of our own make it all the way through to the first team, the feeling is akin to watching one of your own children develop, and i am optimistic that some of these lads will definitely make it through. I am already getting very excited about the ‘next gen’ arsenal… Read more »
Love it, but not comfortable with the contradiction between a fan’s desire to win now, and the beauty of developing our own players. Hopeful, I am, that the contradiction can be resolved with a consistent, exciting and productive academy!