There have been a long debate of whether we should be giving our home grown talents more first-team football opportunities.
I took great pride that under George Graham, we had so many home grown products like Adams, Rocastle, Thomas, Quinn, Davis, Hayes, Campbell, Merson, Hillier, Selley, Parlour emerged and played a key part in our League and Cup success.
Wenger has long been criticized for having no faith in our home grown youngsters. Over the years, only Ashley Cole could have us proudly proclaimed - he’s MADE in Arsenal!
As much as I would love to see another young gun of us emerge to the scene, I have to concede - sometimes we can’t have everything going our way.
We are now a team challenging Premiership title every year, one minor slip up would see us dropped off pace from our major rivals Man Utd and Chelsea. Playing a rookie with few Premiership experience is always a risk.
At their tender age, when their bodies are still developing, few are able to cope with the Premiership’s physically pressure. The likes of Bentley, Quincy, Pennant have great talent, but we saw them losing the possession too easily. Because physically, they are simply not strong enough.
I noticed, for the young players to establish themselves in our first team, when they are rewarded with their first team chances, they have to grab it with both hands instantly, because it’s now or never. If one could not make an instant impact in their first few appearances, normally they would be fading out of the scene soon.
I remember the first time I saw Ashley Cole playing, it’s in a pre-season friendly against Barcelona, he impressed immediately. Not only with his skills, but most importantly, his aggressiveness. He had showed this no-fear attitude which is a key element if a youngster wants to make it with Arsenal. Kolo did the same. I was impressed right away after seeing him play last season, this kid seemed had tons of energy inside him waiting to explose. Whenever he got the ball, he didn’t care who were his opponents, Kolo simply ran straight pass them like a train! The thing impressed me most about Kolo is - he has a great professional attitude. Usually, when a late subs came off the bench in the dying minutes, they didn’t really bother much of the game because they realized they probably wouldn’t even get a touch of the ball. They were there just to see off the game. Not Kolo though, last season, when he was still primarily being used as a subs, whenever he came on the pitch, be it with 30 minutes left, or 1 minute left, Kolo gave it all. He was here, there, everywhere, closing down opponents, running on opposing defenders, as if the game was still on the line (when normally we had already taken a comfortable lead). With an attitude like this, you would know he can make it wouldn’t you?!
When a youngster does not has the same aggressiveness or self-belief, no matter how talent they are, they are unlikely to make it. Remember Stephen Hughes? He was highly rated, and had plenty of first team chances, but he did not show the same aggressiveness as Cole and Kolo did. No doubt he had talent, a sweet left foot with a good technic and passing range. But playing as a central midfielder, even the superstar like Vieira had to work hard; Hughes, on the other hand, did not seem to give enough effort, and often shy away from making tackles. His exit from Highbury did not really suprise many.
Personally, I really hope the likes Bentley, Aliadiere, Clichy could make it, as they have shown so much promise. And I hope they will be able to grab their chances with both hands like Cole and Kolo did.
18 Responses to “Young Guns”
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March 19th, 2004 at 8:54 am
Having read through some of the posts concerning the difficulty of youngsters breaking in on such a top form team, the thought crossed my mind that at the end of the season, such a powerful first team just might open up even more opportunities for them if they were to clinch early. This has been discussed here as well.
As it stands, in current form and focus, The Arsenal may have it all sown up by, at least, B.City (madly knocking wood), leaving three games for the reserves to show what they can do. With no concerns in dropping points (unless there’s an unbeaten record that could be put out of reach) it would appear very likely that the “resting the best” option will bring out the babes, and in a tremendous, winning atmosphere.
Bittersweet for me, since I’ll be attending that B. City game in May. But just being at Highbury will be reward enough. Add to that the fact that I may be watching future legends trying to make their mark will be a singular experience as well. Especially if the Blue Noses have a chance to make Europe.
Of course, first things first. Saturday, Bolten…
…Gunners again.
March 19th, 2004 at 9:43 am
You forgot Martin Keown. He’s the perfect example of young talent that was cast-off by a short-sighted manager.
With UEFA’s proposed plan to limit the number of foreigners per club (I’m not sure if they mean per club at all, or the amount of foreigners a club can have on the pitch at any one time, but probably one player on the pitch at one time due to EU labour laws), the issue of youth development is becoming increasingly important for the bigger clubs as well. Not only will the Arsenal have to develop Aliadiere and Clichy, but we’ll have to start looking for even more talented lads like Bentley.
March 19th, 2004 at 10:25 am
Andes, there are no easy answers here, some pro and cons here but buying too many kids and ending up on the road side is a joke. Kids are well aware of the ups and downs of the professional game and without Passion, Dedication, and Commitment very hard to make the grade. I think is about time Uefa step in before is too later. This is a big problem for all the big clubs and has to be dress sometime soon.
Under George Graham Arsenal had a youth policy, which was the envy of the world. Over the years Arsenal has established an excellent tradition for discovering and developing young footballers. Now under Wenger we produce more young footballers and end up in the bin. So far since 1999 ? 2000 16 good kids have been through the door of Highbury.
I don?t want to sound nationalist but is well known in England, under Wenger if you are British your chances are slim and mean very slim. Apart from Cole there were lots of good young British lads and they were seen as the next Tony Adams, Martin Keown, Wright etc. You can?t sign a 16 old from Spain whiles there is a 17 old in London who is good.
Our youth policy is crazy as it stands, but to some we are winning and that is what matters. Glory hunters looking for a good team to support.
March 19th, 2004 at 10:34 am
He was not only cast off, He sold Matthew Upson to make room for Cygan. Say no more.
I hope to see the Uefa sorting this crap up.
March 19th, 2004 at 10:50 am
Good point BarnetFCGunner. We lost Upson too, a great lad as he’s showing himself to be at Birmingham.
March 19th, 2004 at 10:51 am
This debate always brings on a heated argument.
I don’t really care where the kids are from, be it England China or anywhere else. They have to be able to perform at a high level.
How does Uefa propose to limit the number of “foreign players” per team? Are they going to dismantle teams that have too many players?
That is ridiculous, and it will never happen. The questions about being born in one country, raised in another and all the questions that will go along with it will be chaotic.
If we have the one of the best teams in the world, which we do… then the youth players are going to have major difficulties pushing into the first team. That will not change unless our level of play drops.
The Carling Cup gave our kids a great opportunity to shine, and they did. If they are good enough and patient, they’ll get a chance. If they are not, they will be off. As long as we are winning, I don’t give rat’s ass about the make-up of the squad.
March 19th, 2004 at 11:14 am
Let me start my saying there is a new law coming up. Yes I know you dont care so far as you team is winning how sweet.
But not to loss sight of the issue, from 1998 to end Arsenal have seen almost 20 good kids in and out whiles we are still buying more. Every person or football fan will tell you is getting out of hand.
I dont care if the first team is make up of 12 Americans.
Talking about the development of the youth and the beatiful game is general. Most youth coaches will tell you, the big clubs buying these kids,killing their dreams. It takes time.
Even Henry took 13 games to settle in an Arsenal shirt. So how do you think a 17 old will feel if they play one game in 10 and back to reserves teams then on loans. Confidence
March 19th, 2004 at 12:26 pm
Well first of all… English players are over-priced.
This is fact. For whatever the reason… the Rooney’s and Owen’s are way over-priced when it comes to buying and selling.
This is a main reason why Arsene finds the gems abroad… as opposed to in England.
2nd… how many young players have left Arsenal in the recent past and when to to greatness???
I can’t think of ANY off hand.
3rd… Name me an English player from another team that would start in Arsenal’s starting 11??
There might be a few… but not many. And, again… at what cost?
Wenger has assembled an amazing team of players, as well as an outstanding crop of young players… Bentley, Aliadere, Clichy etc etc.
I don’t think he is doing too badly on that front.
If they are capable of breaking into the 1st team, fantastic… if they aren’t… loan them out, as he has done… or …. bye bye… nice knowing you.
We don’t have time or the luxury of playing kids in major matches that can make or break a season. The league title, FA Cup, and CL all bring in HUGE financial rewards for success. Losing brings in nothing.
This is a very fine line… on how to bring up and in the youth players and WIN at the same time. I personally think we are doing a very good job of it.
English players? you can have most of them. If they were so outstanding… they’d be in contention for the World Cup or Euro Cup on a regular basis. They simply aren’t.
March 19th, 2004 at 12:27 pm
UEFA cannot determine the amount of European nationals playing in our league as every citizen of europe has an equal right to work in europe.
However, there is no such legislation for African, south american players. If they limit it in a similar way as in the 70/80s we might find it difficult to have Kolo, Ralph, Edu and Silva in the same side.
March 19th, 2004 at 12:29 pm
Guys I hope you all remember Juan. The FA Cup specialist who make Liverpool looked stupid and never to be seen again. After beating Liverpool with 9 men Juan was called the next best thing. He was the man of the match.
Grass root development is essential to the future of Arsenal and England Football. That is facts and forget about some of the fiction am reading. Competition is very intense not just to get into the Youth Development programmed but also to progress all the way through the scheme.
The Arsenal youth team has only three English players, the rest of these kids are foreign players. If this is not a problem then God help the Queen - this is the problem at the moment with national associations finding out that so many of their best players are playing abroad.
The pressures on young players have increased in many ways over recent years. Top European clubs are keen to bring them in early to prevent having to pay millions for them later. I don’t think that at sixteen or seventeen these lads can handle the pressures and that’s why so many of them fall by the wayside.
March 19th, 2004 at 12:33 pm
UEFA cannot determine the amount of European nationals playing in our league as every citizen of europe has an equal right to work in europe. Pity.
However, there is no such legislation for African or South American players. If they limit it in a similar way as in the 70/80s we might find it difficult to have Kolo, Ralph, Edu and Silva in the same side.
In fact, thinking about it didn’t Edu have to prove he had a Portugese passport which resulted in his delay joing us and rumour has it that is why we rid ourselves of Silvinho?
March 19th, 2004 at 12:34 pm
It’s always good to see young talent come through however times have changed and a club of Arsenal’s size has the influence to sign as many youngsters as they can afford with the hope that one of them will be the next Heny, Bergkamp etc.
But as we all know this is not always the case. However, if you look at the players we have released, sold, loaned etc. the club seems to get a good return on their investment. There are many players out there at Nationwide league clubs who would not be the players they are had they not started at The Arsenal. A couple of seasons back we sold Boothroyd to Coventry for ?1m. I think he only played league cup football at the most. He now plays for Perugia in Italy.
If you look at Scottish league football you will find Diawara and Caballero.
There may not be as many coming through now, but how many have gone on to greater success at other clubs? Nuff said.
March 19th, 2004 at 12:38 pm
Well all south Americans now have Eu passport.
Very pity.
March 19th, 2004 at 12:42 pm
You are talking like a member of the BNP or too nationalist here.
March 19th, 2004 at 1:29 pm
You are always going to have Brits want a CORE of Brit players in the squad. This arguement never changes for some. The fact that there aren’t many Brits who could even play on the Arsenal if we got them on a FREE transfer doesn’t faze them. You can’t win this arguement.
March 19th, 2004 at 10:19 pm
Canadian_Gooner, in the case of Martin Keown, the reason he departed Highbury was because he failed to agree a new contract with Arsenal, it coincidented with the fact we had another bright young central back emerging (Tony Adams), so George Graham was willing to let Martin go. (those were the days prior to the squad-rotation days, plus we already had David O’Leary, another excellent central back, and a few other senior central back, so George’s decision can be understood).
Your second point is an excellent one, i would also like to see the limit of the number of foreign imports per club. Nevertheless, unless it applies on every club in Europe, otherwise it would put us in a disadvantage situation (imagine if Real Madrid could still buy all the great players in the world with no foreign import restriction…)
March 19th, 2004 at 10:31 pm
Agree with Stag here. The globelism is a inevitably trend todays. Not just in football, you look at NBA, how many foreign players are in the league, say merely 5 years ago? And how many now? Does it make NBA a lesser sport? The likes of Yao, Stajakovic, Dirk only added to the quality of NBA.
There is a point here we shall not ignore - if a player is GOOD enough, he will come through no matter what. It’s true over the years Arsenal have let many youth rank graduates go, but let’s try to look at it the other way: if they are good enough, after they left Highbury, they should be able to make a name for themselves no matter where they play right? How many players after being let go by Arsene Wenger would play BETTER than they were with Arsenal? How many have made a name of themselves after they left? Remember Stephen Hughes, Vernazza, David Noble, Rohan Rickett…?? they were all highly rated when they were with Arsenal youth team, but they simply could not cut it with Arsenal’s level. If they can’t make it with a lesser club, how could we expect they would make it with us (even giving them more chances)?
March 19th, 2004 at 10:46 pm
We are in the same wave length here again stag! Michael Owen was rated as a 50 millions pound players after he scored that wonder goal against Argentina in world cup 98, i remember thinking to myself, hell, Liverpool should sell him then with money like that! It’s truth English players are very overrated, and overpriced. One reason of Leeds’ trouble is they spent too much money on their buy-English only policy, while they could get a similiar quality player from Europe with lesser price, they paid big bucks for the English stars, like Bowyer, Woodgate, Rio, Fowler, Seth Johnson, Michael Bridge so and so. And when they have to sell them after things went wrong, how much they get from them in return?
I have no disrespect to English footballers, as i been watching them growing up. I love their never say die attitude, and being honest on the pitch (unlike most European players). I just don’t feel they worth what people thought they do. Heskey worth 11 millions? Kevin Davis (the current Bolton striker) Blackburn actually paid 7 millions for him would u believe? Rio cost 30 millions? how much Nesta would worth?
Another point is - although Arsenal don’t have too many youngster come through the first team, but when they did, they are QUALITY! (unlike Man U who many of their home grown products like Wes Brown, O’Shea, Fletcher, Nevilles, are a bit overrated), just look at Ashley Cole. I have never seen an English left back with the skills Cole got. My old man (who’s not familiar with English football) once asked me how much Arsenal paid for Cole?! I could proudly tell him, dad, it’s FREE, he’s coming from Arsenal youth rank!
Quality or Quantity, i would definitely go for Quality.