Arsenal having an injury crisis is nothing new. Arsenal not fully supplementing their squad for the new season is also nothing new. However, what also isn't new is Wenger throwing 'kids' in at the deep end and actually getting joy out of it.
Now it is quite well documented that we are lacking first choice well established defenders. On paper Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Gibbs and Debuchy are established defenders with experience. Beyond that we have Chambers, Bellerin and Hayden. There is a high possibility that Bellerin will get his shot tonight vs Dortmund and the general reaction in the world of media is of worry, 'He lacks experience to handle the atmosphere'. However, a lot has changed over the years in terms of developing young players, leading to the question of, how do we actually develop them?
The gulf in quality between the under 21 league and the Premiership is huge. The difference in style of play between the Championship and the Premiership is also huge. Januzaj dropped down to the under 21's twenty four hours after a sub appearance vs QPR. He scored a hat-trick. Players like Chambers, Gnabry, Ox, Bellerin, Sanogo, Hayden and what appears to be Apkom find it far too easy. So what can we do to continue their development?
We could send them out on loan to another Premiership club in England. However, you have to take into account the likelihood of game time, the difference in style of play and psychological affects on the player. There is also the option of abroad, however, the culture and also difference in style of play is also a factor. Wenger has spoken about the need for Welbeck to adapt to our style of play, therefore wouldn't it be harder to integrate a youngster into the Arsenal way if they spend a year doing something completely different?
Is that why Wenger prefers to keep young players training with the first team? Hayden and Bellerin train with the first team consistently. That means that they are facing the likes of Sanchez, Özil and Welbeck on a daily basis. If they were not holding their own, they wouldn't be part of the first team squad. So maybe throwing them in at the deep end is the best way to go?
People seem to take notice when we are short and are throwing our kids in, but do they realise our kids tend to be of a very high standard? Do they notice European clubs throwing their kids in? How old was Torres when he was leading the line for Atletico? What about Varane? How old is Blackett? What about Stones? Ginter? How old were the Barca players when they got their shot?
What is even more confusing is the main stay of the England 'golden generation' team all got thrown into action at a young age. Lampard, Gerrard, Rooney, Cole and so on. So why does it suddenly become an issue, or even magnified when Arsenal have an injury crisis. If Terry and Cahill got injured, Zouma would be thrown in. Would that be an issue?
I'd like to know what the general opinion is on how to develop young players and especially how else do you find out if someone has the talent to succeed and the mentality under pressure if they do not get a chance. It's that old cliche of how do you gain experience without the chance to obtain it.
Now it is quite well documented that we are lacking first choice well established defenders. On paper Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Gibbs and Debuchy are established defenders with experience. Beyond that we have Chambers, Bellerin and Hayden. There is a high possibility that Bellerin will get his shot tonight vs Dortmund and the general reaction in the world of media is of worry, 'He lacks experience to handle the atmosphere'. However, a lot has changed over the years in terms of developing young players, leading to the question of, how do we actually develop them?
The gulf in quality between the under 21 league and the Premiership is huge. The difference in style of play between the Championship and the Premiership is also huge. Januzaj dropped down to the under 21's twenty four hours after a sub appearance vs QPR. He scored a hat-trick. Players like Chambers, Gnabry, Ox, Bellerin, Sanogo, Hayden and what appears to be Apkom find it far too easy. So what can we do to continue their development?
We could send them out on loan to another Premiership club in England. However, you have to take into account the likelihood of game time, the difference in style of play and psychological affects on the player. There is also the option of abroad, however, the culture and also difference in style of play is also a factor. Wenger has spoken about the need for Welbeck to adapt to our style of play, therefore wouldn't it be harder to integrate a youngster into the Arsenal way if they spend a year doing something completely different?
Is that why Wenger prefers to keep young players training with the first team? Hayden and Bellerin train with the first team consistently. That means that they are facing the likes of Sanchez, Özil and Welbeck on a daily basis. If they were not holding their own, they wouldn't be part of the first team squad. So maybe throwing them in at the deep end is the best way to go?
People seem to take notice when we are short and are throwing our kids in, but do they realise our kids tend to be of a very high standard? Do they notice European clubs throwing their kids in? How old was Torres when he was leading the line for Atletico? What about Varane? How old is Blackett? What about Stones? Ginter? How old were the Barca players when they got their shot?
What is even more confusing is the main stay of the England 'golden generation' team all got thrown into action at a young age. Lampard, Gerrard, Rooney, Cole and so on. So why does it suddenly become an issue, or even magnified when Arsenal have an injury crisis. If Terry and Cahill got injured, Zouma would be thrown in. Would that be an issue?
I'd like to know what the general opinion is on how to develop young players and especially how else do you find out if someone has the talent to succeed and the mentality under pressure if they do not get a chance. It's that old cliche of how do you gain experience without the chance to obtain it.
