Over the years Mr Wenger has had to show faith in youngsters. From the likes of Thierry Henry helping him win the title at Monaco, to Nicolas Anelka in Wengers first double season in England, and Cesc Fabregas playing a major role in us getting to our first CL final, Wenger has often gambled on his kids stepping up. Of course many have fallen by the wayside, not good enough to make the grade. But every top quality youngster needs an opportunity to prove himself in the first team.
With our depleted squad, is it time for Mr Wenger to take another chance?
Jeff Reine Adelaide excited a fair few people with his pre-season outings. Pacy, skillful and technically very good, he looks a good bet to have a very good footballing career.
Jeffs short time in England since pre-season hasn't been perfect. His 3 August reserve team performances were okay without being outstanding, but a short term injury kept him out until the recent U17 World Cup. He did well with the French team in Chile, and his return has coincided with our injury crisis.
Joel Campbell has not stepped up enough. Despite a promising start v Swansea, he struggled against Spurs. After international duty, he found himself on the bench again, before coming on to miss a golden opportunity to equalize.
Kieran Gibbs is a bit of a safe choice on the left. Helps protect Monreal, but cannot trouble rivals from the more advanced role enough.
It is a brave man who chucks in a 17 year old with no first team experience into a big European game. But Wenger was brave in throwing Henry, Anelka, Fabregas in as well.
Time to play the wildcard?
posted on 23/11/15
What's the lowdown with Bielak, DJ? Is he good enough to cover DM if need be?
posted on 23/11/15
comment by APantsArsenalFan - Diaby will succeed one day! (U11422)
posted 49 seconds ago
What's the lowdown with Bielak, DJ? Is he good enough to cover DM if need be?
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Don't think he is that much of an option at this time. He has been playing CB to help him develop, both strength and positional awareness. Looks a bit weak still, to be fair.
But then, on the other hand, the likes of Eastmond and Yennaris stepped into the first team and played well in the past. Bielik certainly looks a better prospect than them.
posted on 23/11/15
If I remember correctly Bielik wasn't named in our CL squad (not eligable as an under age player), so cannot play v Zagreb. I am pretty sure Jeff was named in the squad tho.
posted on 23/11/15
Thanks. Hopefully Ramsey returns from injury soon so it can be him and Santi in midfield. On the right, I'd really like to see Gnabry called back - as much as I was willing to give Joel the benefit of the doubt, he doesn't look like delivering. This can be a pivotal point in Gnabry's career.
posted on 23/11/15
comment by APantsArsenalFan - Diaby will succeed one day! (U11422)
posted 1 hour, 24 minutes ago
What's the lowdown with Bielak, DJ? Is he good enough to cover DM if need be?
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I think he looked pretty decent when he came on, was spurs wasnt it? cant remember the game but he looked good and assured.
posted on 23/11/15
comment by The Godfather (U10154)
posted 56 seconds ago
comment by APantsArsenalFan - Diaby will succeed one day! (U11422)
posted 1 hour, 24 minutes ago
What's the lowdown with Bielak, DJ? Is he good enough to cover DM if need be?
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I think he looked pretty decent when he came on, was spurs wasnt it? cant remember the game but he looked good and assured.
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Sheffield Wednesday.
posted on 23/11/15
Yennaris always looked a solid player whose ceiling was below Arsenal level. It's no surprise he played well for a few games. Bielek is different to that.
posted on 24/11/15
It's certainly worth a try. The Coq didn't look convincing and was on his way out of Arsenal and then we got super lucky with him so this might work out.
That said it's really unlikely luck will strike twice and our youth look poor compared to the past.
posted on 24/11/15
I don't think Wenger has ever really trusted players from our youth setup. I can only think of Gibbs, Wilshere and Ashley Cole in his entire tenure? Wenger has definitely bought and played younger players in the past like Ramsey, Cesc, Denilson, Eboue, Anelka, Vieira, Diaby etc. But those players were already earmarked to be almost starter calibre and weren't involved in the youth setup. This is why we changed our entire youth/scout system a couple of seasons ago. In my opinion the new setup hasn't done that much better.
posted on 24/11/15
comment by Jenius99 (U4918)
posted 4 minutes ago
I don't think Wenger has ever really trusted players from our youth setup. I can only think of Gibbs, Wilshere and Ashley Cole in his entire tenure? Wenger has definitely bought and played younger players in the past like Ramsey, Cesc, Denilson, Eboue, Anelka, Vieira, Diaby etc. But those players were already earmarked to be almost starter calibre and weren't involved in the youth setup. This is why we changed our entire youth/scout system a couple of seasons ago. In my opinion the new setup hasn't done that much better.
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That's a fair comment. Lets be honest he's been right not to go with our genuine youth. Even now there's very few that have made even Championship careers let alone decent Prem ones.