Arsenal are famed for going after young players. Arsene Wenger has made his name by relying on youngsters (who don’t always pay him back in the fashion he deserves). Whilst many of these players come from the Academy, Wenger hasn’t been afraid to pluck up talent from lower leagues. Over the years the Gunners have snapped up Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain from Southampton. It’s clear that Wenger keeps his eye on the goings on a St Mary’s Stadium and isn’t afraid to dish out the dough for players with potential.
All of which pre-amble brings me to a story in a recent addition of The Mirror. They claim that the Gunners are looking to bring in 17-year-old Saints’ left-back Luke Shaw. Should they pull off the move, the Gunners would secure a hat-trick of talented young Southampton players and probably work the last nerve of Saints fans in the process.
But is this really the kind of move that Arsenal should be making? They finished third last season and really need to improve moving forward. Will signing a young full-back without Premier League experience really help them do that? I don’t think so.
He’s been labelled the ‘new Gareth Bale’, on account of his position at a club that Bale was formerly a part of. A lazy comparison for sure, but there’s no doubt that he’s an exciting young talent.
Whilst he may have an impact in two-three years time, he’s not the kind of player who would have an immediate impact on account of his age and inexperience.
Let’s not forget, Arsenal have Andre Santos, Kieran Gibbs, Bacary Sagna and Carl Jenkinson in the full-back positions. Thomas Vermaelen and Francis Coquelin can deputise in this position when necessary. Heck, even Johan Djourou has played here before. Injuries aside, the Gunners are pretty strong in this position. It doesn’t seem that this area of the pitch should concern Arsene too much during the transfer window.
What’s more, it would be fair to pluck Shaw from a side that he’s starting to break into and put him into a team where he wouldn’t get many chances. He’s got great potential. What he needs now is regular game time. Not to be warming the bench. He’s much more likely to get this with Southampton than he is with Arsenal.
So maybe this is one that they ought to steer clear of?
What’s your take? Would Luke Shaw be a good addition at the Emirates?
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We need UK talent as the Ox has shown…pay the extra Arsene and Barca will be in for him in no time and pay £20 mill.
How come Arsenal can’t develop any talent of their own bar Wilshire and even he is nowhere near the finished article? Being a Saints supporter I want our club to try and hang onto our young academy stars for a while. But , be that as it may, I’ve no objection to a player wanting to better himself. However sitting on the bench is not going to develop a player as your article points out. I just wish Arsenal would try and develop their own stars and give other clubs the chance to prosper. The FA should make the stipulation in regards to the fair play rule insist that clubs should be allowed to hang onto their rising stars until they reach a certain age or have played a certain number of games for their respective club. I know Saints did that with Nathan Clyne to some extent and I feel sorry for Crystal Palace supporters in that respect. So Mr Wenger if you are such a good manager how come your team hasn’t won anything in the last 6 years with that blend of youthful enthusiasm and old pros ? Buying more youngsters won’t get the fans off your back when you start a loosing sequence. You need to look at yourself and admit you were plain wrong in your ideals and beliefs.
Southampton never did it with clyne as he was out of contract and made it clear he no longer wanted to play for crystal palace.he had also been out of the academy for atleast 3 seasons
Southampton have no need to sell as we now have financial backing. Luke Shaw has signed a pro contract so unlike Walcott he cant just leave. Shaw has talent on the same par as bale did at that age. Luke has publicly stated when Chelsea came calling that he has no desire to leave saints. maybe it is time arsenal and Chelsea n likes started investing in there academies and searching for English players to develop at the age of 8 to 11 like Southampton does.