It may now have become one of football’s most trite truisms, but the fact remains that Arsenal football club really do have a way with youth development and churning out some fine young talent in world football. Of course, they don’t all go on to have massive success – in a world with as many luxuries and distractions as football it’s little wonder that the likes of David Bentley and Jermaine Pennant (both Arsenal Youth Academy products) fall by the wayside.
On the other hand, Arsene Wenger does have an undeniable knack for picking and choosing some of the best young talent in the world and aiding their development no end. Just at this moment Chuks Aneke, Nico Yennaris and Oguzhan Ozyakup are reserve players who look to have the ability to trouble the first team in the coming seasons. Then there’s the likes of Jack Wilshere, Emmanuel Frimpong and Francis Coquelin, all of whom have made the step up over the last couple of years.
But there’s one player tucked away in the reserves whose name we should all take note of. He’s only 16-years-old, but if his current ability level and rate of development are to go by, he’s going to be a star within the next half-decade. His name is Serge Gnabry.
He is German born, but has some roots in Ivory Coast and may need to make a decision as to who to play for at International level sometime in the future. Arsenal poached Gnabry from Bundesliga side Stuttgart last summer when the youngster decided to reject interest from Manchester City – a move you’d think would bode well for his career. Whilst City care a great deal about their ‘Elite Development team’, there are unlikely to be many opportunities in their first-team for players who aren’t the complete article.
At least at Arsenal he’ll get games when he’s ready. As for where he plays – he’s an attacking midfielder with some degree of versatility. He can play on the wings, or in the hole behind the striker. I’d argue he’s better suited down the flanks where he can put his startling pace to best effect.
You only need to look at Gnarby’s performance against West Brom’s Reserve side to recognise this he’s one for the future.
The only worry for Arsenal fans, I suppose, would be reports suggesting that Gnabry was a boyhood Barcelona fan. If everything goes to plan and Gnabry continues to develop, the Gunners will hope that he doesn’t follow in Cesc Fabregas’ footsteps and trot off to Spain.
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why this sudden flood of talent after 14 years of cole as the only real success?
Probably because building up an academy of real note and quality can take some time to do, accumulating the wealth of coaching talent needed and then waiting for those eight-year-olds onwards to develop to a point where you can make a realistic assessment of their ability both take a fair amount of time.