Young English players aiming for a spot in Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal
Every season the media targets Arsene Wenger as being anti-English. They do so because of the lack of English players that play in Arsenal squad. The fact that there has been a lack of quality English players over the years is undeniable. However Wenger is not the only manager who has been facing challenges as far as introducing English players to the squad goes. None the less the Arsenal boss has turned his sights to the younger players at the Squad. Here is a look at the younger English players amongst the Arsenal ranks.
Craig Eastmond, is the first of those players that will be looking to make the break. The nineteen year old player has already had a handful of matches handed to him in the Premier League. He has played alongside Cesc Fabregas and Abou Diaby already which means he already knows how to operate in the Arsenal midfield. Eastmond made some positional errors and looked a little nervous and shaky during his time on the pitch but never out of depth and understating for the game. It is understandable for a player to be nervous in his first few games, however the maturity that he showed for the remainder of the season is something that would most probably see him go a long way at Arsenal in the future.
The one Arsenal player that has had the fan’s on the edge for their seats for a while now is, Jack Wilshere. Wilshere is a local Londoner who started his career as being a West Ham fan. Later on he realised Arsenal was where his true calling lied at. He has been at Arsenal for his entire footballing career so far. He has been compared to the head of youth development of Arsenal on numerous occasions, that head of youth development is none other than Arsenal legend, Liam Brady.
Wilshere is gifted with feet that are equally as good as the other. He has no difficulties playing with his right or left foot. He has also managed to score some wonder goals for the Arsenal youth team.
Last season Wilshere was sent to Bolton on a season long loan so that he could harness his talent even further. He became an instant fan favourite at the club, he played fourteen times for the team and managed his first ever Premier League goal as well. Owen Coyle wanted to retain the player at the club, however Wenger said that he had other plans for the youngster.
He is expected to receive a call up to the English national team as soon as this Wednesday, having been left out of the under twenty one squad. Wilshere could also prove to be a long term replacement for Cesc Fabregas who is the current captain of the club.
The next two players are Kieran Gibbs and Theo Walcott. Both the players have already played numerous games at Arsenal, but will be hoping that this is the season they cement their position into the first team. Out of the two Gibbs seems the more likely to make the team. This is because of the fact that Clichy seems to constantly get injured somehow and Gibbs is the only player who is capable of replacing the spot left empty at the left back position.
Walcott on the other hand has had way more appearances for Arsenal as compared to Gibbs. He still hasn’t managed to make a spot in the first team and he has no one to blame other than himself. He constantly shows potential but lacks the finals product, but he has promised to silence his critics this coming season which all the Arsenal fans will be hoping is exactly what he does.
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