Can Arsenal win something with kids?

Arsene Wenger

This is the debate that has been going on for some time now and the question has again been raised after the defeat from Hull. Even though nobody doubts the potential of Arsenal’s youngsters, there are a lot of those who believe they are far too inexperienced to win a major trophy. Still, at least one man believes in them, and he counts the most-Arsene Wenger.

The Frenchman has created one of the most exciting teams to watch, and managed to keep the results very good indeed. However, it seems they still miss the cutting edge to win the major competition. Wenger has done a great job with his team, as Arsenal is fighting for the title in the Premier League, and they played Champions League final two years ago. But the truth is that the trophies are lacking. Maybe it is just the case of bad luck and maybe it is not.

While Wenger is the most responsible for the arrival and development of great talents, the club’s scouting network has to take some credit. They scour the World in search for young talent, and when they find some, the scouts report to Arsene Wenger. Wenger’s scouting policy is the most responsible for the lack of bad judgments regarding the players. The fact that ‘the Professor’ watched Mathieu Flamini 40 times before he decided to sign him speaks for itself. Watching a player so many times gives you clear picture of his quality, talent, how he copes with pressure and basically all you want to know when you are buying a player. These players just need some time to adapt to the new surroundings and new methods of the coach and they are ready for first team football. This is why the players in Arsenal get the chance to play so young, as they have already passed through this process of development.

The process continues with their loans to some smaller clubs where they gain some match practice, while the ones that stay in the first team get their chance mostly in the Carling Cup. Arsenal’s 2007 campaign in this competition is the great example. Wenger gave the chance to his youngsters in the competition and they repaid him with great performances and the team seemed destined for Millennium Stadium (as Wembley was being renovated). The further the Arsenal progressed, the more people expected that Wenger will deny the youngsters a chance to play because of the importance of the competition. He was aware that denying them a chance would be counterproductive and decided to stick with them until the end. Arsenal reached the final and had very experienced Chelsea side to beat and complete remarkable success. But it was simply not to be. Arsenal largely outplayed their opponents but they were very unlucky and lost the game. That defeat was very difficult for the young players, but gave them another important experience for the future.

Club’s youth academy has to take some credit for the development of the current crop of players. Cesc Fabregas is said to have been just average player while he was in Barcelona, and look at him now, he is alighting the Europe with his performances. And even though most of the players were bought from around the World, can we honestly say that players like Vela, Denilson and Song would have progressed in the same manner had they stayed in their respective clubs? All things combined makes Arsenal the best place for youngsters to develop properly and play at the highest level at the fragile age.

Can anyone now say that Cesc Fabregas is not playing as some more experienced players, or that Theo Walcott is not ready for the big stage? The author of these lines doesn’t believe so, and these youngsters will certainly prove they are good enough to compete with the best in England and Europe. Regarding the defeat from Hull, we have to say that even more experienced teams lose from the minnows, and Arsenal fought right back by trashing Porto in the Champions League. As long as Arsene Wenger is at the helm, the fans should not worry, and the trophies will come. Even when he eventually leaves the club, he will have created a great legacy for the future generations and every Gunner in the World will be eternally grateful.

Popularity: 4% [?]