Two seasons ago, when he was a schoolboy, Trae Coyle seemed almost certain to be given chances to impress in the Arsenal first-team eventually.
Coyle was already featuring for the U19s in the UEFA Youth League and was providing glimpses of the undoubted quality that he possesses.
However, last season didn’t exactly go to play for the Hale End product as he spent a significant period out through injury, which slowed his development.
Now, though, Coyle, who can play as an attacking midfielder or on either flank, is back fully fit and is starting to make an impact for Arsenal at U23 level.
A skilful player who is also strong physically, Coyle is an intriguing talent and this season will simply be about him gaining as much playing time as possible as he looks to make up for the games that he missed when he was on the sidelines.
While he was out, the likes of Xavier Amaechi and Bukayo Saka progressed extremely well, to the extent that Coyle, while not being completely forgotten about, fell down the pecking order somewhat.
Now, with Amaechi still out, Coyle has been given chances to impress and, while he hasn’t been outstanding, it is clear that the 17-year-old remains a very talented player.
At present it seems that Saka, who has perhaps been Arsenal’s best performer at academy level so far this season, is more likely to make the breakthrough in the near future.
Coyle certainly can’t be discounted, however, and if he continues to work hard then the youngster’s time in the spotlight may well come along eventually.
Arsenal get their FA Youth Cup campaign underway next month and that competition will provide Coyle with another opportunity to showcase his credentials on a major stage as he looks to put his injury nightmare behind him.
—
Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
It seems to be a recurring problem, alot of our top prospects are hampered by injuries. Touch on wood, but i has to stop or being monitored closely. My bet is on the big guys having a complex against a smaller more technically gifted ang “ruffing them up”. Like yesterday, i feel players are not enough protected. Then again, the game has so many diving cunts, and nothing is done against that….
At the academy of every top team in every league, there are stories of talented kids who suffered career changing injuries.
It’s not just us, it’s a consequence of regular training and making the step up in competition.
I completely agree but we also have lots of injuries on our top prospects who are the ones sent on loan. Then they get seriously injured on loan. Your point of the change of level is valid either way which i haven’t considered
We seem to be creating a lot of these inverted wingers/central attacking midfielders at the club. Is it down to the role of a traditional winger being obsolete in today’s game, or is it a plan within the academy to purposefully create such player?