Nathan Tormey has had to be very patient to get to this point, having endured long spells out injured in addition to being left out on many occasions when fully fit.
Now, though, the winger is finally a regular in the starting lineup for Arsenal U23s, with Xavier Amaechi’s departure to Hamburg having helped him greatly in that regard.
Tormey, after featuring prominently throughout pre-season for Steve Bould’s new-look side, has started the first two league games this campaign and managed to get on the scoresheet in the victory at home to Brighton & Hove Albion last week as he slotted the ball into the back of the net having been teed up by Folarin Balogun.
The 19-year-old, who is usually deployed on the right flank, possesses excellent close control and electric speed, while he is also very tactically aware.
Reiss Nelson was in the same scholarship intake as Tormey yet while the former is starting games for Arsenal in the Premier League, the latter is only now beginning to establish himself as a key performer for the U23s.
That is certainly not Tormey’s fault, with his aforementioned injury struggles having slowed his progress, but the youngster is now finally getting regular chances to prove his worth.
Tormey is in line to start when the U23s continue their campaign on Friday with a game against Everton at Emirates Stadium.
It isn’t beyond the realms of possibility that, should he continue to catch the eye for the U23s, Tormey could be included in first-team training sessions for cup games, and he could even end up being named amongst the substitutes if other players are unavailable.
For now, having had to wait so long for his chance, Tormey is simply relishing playing again.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com. Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Very wierd player this one. There must really be something that the club has always seen in him throughout his injury ravaged development years to keep extending his deal. He has spent so much time out, that I am starting to assume that he is probably one of the smartest young players at the club because he is definitely not being kept around for his physical gifts. I have been very fascinated with this player for a while now. He could be something truly special, but he has never been spoken about i the same way as Nelson, Saka, Willock,… Read more »
He did very well as a schoolboy and is highly rated by the club. He also has a good workrate, but I think this season is crucial for his development. If he does really well he could earn a new deal and then maybe go on loan but otherwise he could end up being released.
I haven’t seen it mentioned on arseblog at all but i read elsewhere that Daniel Ballard is out for 5 months with a knee injury and Swindon have sent him back to us. Really unlucky for the young lad as he had just broken into the Norn Iron senior squad.
Not seen much of Tormey but just wondering why Eddie Nketiah is scoring for Leeds in their U23 games?
If he is going to play in Leeds U23 he may as well have stayed here and been available for first team cameos through the season.
LOL – Hadn’t refreshed my window so I missed your comment … spot-on!
Good for him. So much attacking talent in the wings! On a similar note, Eddie Nketiah scored for Leeds U23s! So glad we loaned him to a championship side so he can help their U23s! WTF?! Well, I have to remind myself that the loan process is agreed by all parties. He did after all score for the first team against Salford City, so maybe he’ll get more chances with them too…
Isn’t that him with Luiz in the first team training pictures released today?
Don’t know much about him, but there’s a momentum building slowly with younger players of various ages at the club isn’t there. The new management team has given the impression (early days, of course) that if you’re good enough you’ll get a chance at the appropriate level in most cases. Could be quite exciting.