Arsenal Announce Their Seven New Scholars

Liam Brady and his Arsenal Academy coaching staff saw the fruits of their labour paraded earlier in the week as the club had their annual photo shoot for the latest batch of scholars.

The majority of the boys are quickly becoming regulars in Steve Bould’s Under 18’s, and you’re all but certain to see some of them in Neil Banfield’s Reserves next season. They will also lead the charge to retain the F.A Youth Cup. So who are the seven new boys?

Summer 2008 signings Oğuzhan Özyakup and Ignasi Miquel are two of the most well known and obvious names. Özyakup, who captains Holland’s Under 17’s, had a slow start to life with the Gunners but finished the campaign as a regular in the Under 18’s – where he scored four times. Miquel had an injury hit beginning to life in London, but quickly established himself as an important asset in the closing stages of the season. He then made two starts for the Reserves in the final two games of the year.

Whilst there is two foreign boys signed up, London lads Benik Afobe and Chuks Aneke even up the count. Afobe is regarded as one of the most promising strikers in England. Although he was a bit part player for Bould’s side, he still struck 12 goals including a Youth Cup effort. Aneke will no doubt be an outstanding and crucial player next term but he only made a handful of appearances at Academy level. That said – he did score once.

Imposing central defender Danny Boateng is one of the most exciting new boys. Capable of playing at left back or in midfield, Boateng is a technically gifted, quick-silver stopper with bags of power. He has chosen to represent Ghana ahead of England but Boateng is another London born starlet with a big future.

Two lesser known boys are Nico Yennaris and George Brislen-Hall. The former is a versatile and hard working defender who can play in midfield. The half Greek half Chinese youngster is a local lad who has spent a massive amount of time on the treatment table. Yet when fit his energy and no nonsense style can be very important assets. Nico is very much the gamble of the group.

Left back George Brislen-Hall, known simply as George Brisnal, is the seventh and final scholar. He’s an English, hard working and aggressive defender who can play as a wing-back. He may be small and very different to the usual Arsenal style left back, but he’ll no doubt have a point to prove next term.

These are the first batch of news boys – but more scholars could be confirmed in the coming days.

Article By – J.Sanderson

~ by J.Sanderson on June 13, 2009.