Jay Emmanuel-Thomas
Talisman and captain fantastic Jay Emmanuel-Thomas led from the front during the 2008-2009 campaign, as his 14 goals not only made him the Reserves & Youth top scorer, but he also helped the Gunners claim both the Premier Academy League and F.A Youth Cup trophies.
The leggy youngster was named as captain of the Under 18 team as a 16-year-old where he led Steve Bould’s side to the Academy League play offs after winning Group A. Although Jay played the majority of his football at centre back, he would play in no less than five positions before the campaign was over.
A year later the skillful utility man turned out more times than anybody else at Academy level, offering his services in a whole manner of positions, on 37 occasions. Known for his raw power and superb ball control, Emmanuel-Thomas bagged 8 goals during the year, including a stunning lobbed effort from inside his own half against Charlton. His commitments for the Under 18’s limited his Reserves chances, but always looked fantastic when called upon, scoring an excellent solo goal against Derby County.
His first season as a scholar ended in the signing of professional forms, summing up how highly regarded he is. His relaxed and sometimes casual nature can catch the youngster out, but ArsèneWenger saw no problems in selecting him for first team friendlies against Huddersfield Town and Sevilla.
Yet despite all those achievements, the 2008-2009 season would be his best yet. Moving into a central midfield role, he helped orchestrate a record breaking year. After a promising start in the Premier Academy League, ‘JET’ bagged the winner in an exciting 3-2 win over Aston Villa in the first round of the F.A Youth Cup. Jay would go on to score againstTottenham and Manchester City before netting versus Liverpool to win the Cup.
Emmanuel-Thomas was soon lifting more trophies as the Gunners claimed the Premier Academy League gong with a 1-0 win over Tottenham. With 14 goals for the campaign he was the top scorer. Reserves form however was a negative point, although he did find the net against West Brom in the dying embers of the term.
A regular at first-team training sessions, Jay is certain to build on his first team appearances after being named on the bench during the win over Portsmouth on the final Premier League game of the 08-09 season.
Name: Jay Aston Emmanuel-Thomas
Nickname: ‘JET’
Age: 18
Nationality: English
International: Under 19
Position: Centre Midfield
Height: 191cm
Previous Clubs: None
Contract: Professional
[...] players in question are the impressive and versatile Under 18 skipper Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, and free scoring striker Rhys Murphy. Both are England Under 17 Internationals, and both will be [...]
Swansea Eyeing Arsenals Murphy & Emmanuel-Thomas « [» Young Guns ! «] said this on May 2, 2008 at 1:45 pm
[...] Hoyte – First Team Kieran Gibbs James Dunne Henri Lansbury Jack Wilshere Craig Eastmond Jay Emmanuel-Thomas Conor [...]
FIFA In Favour Of The Ludacris ’six-plus-five’ Rule « Gooner Talk said this on May 30, 2008 at 12:14 pm
SUPREME TEAM PLAYA! MVP! HALL OF FAME! GOLDEN GLOVES! MOST G IN THE WORLD! BOSS PLAYA! 15 FIST STYLE! THE EMPEROR!
FUGAYZI said this on August 25, 2008 at 3:37 pm
sik man
HuJahS said this on September 26, 2008 at 5:42 pm
[...] Jay Emmanuel-Thomas is Young Guns Player Of The Month for September 2008 after the leggy youngster helped guide Steve Bould’s Under 18’s through a tricky spell and straight to the top of the League. [...]
September 08 - Player Of The Month - Jay Thomas « [» Young Guns ! «] said this on October 2, 2008 at 10:01 am
I like the fact that there are some strong, tough but skillful English players in our youth team (Jay-Thomas, Frimpong). They are future captain materials, and we need players like them in the first team. I definitely can see them make it on the big stage.
Progman07 said this on December 10, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Jy has been instrumental this year and needs to get a call up to the first team, fabregas injury solved
jordan said this on January 27, 2009 at 1:37 am
is he abit like vieira. i am fed up of idiots comparing diaby to vieira.
uncle mike said this on February 3, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Well JET’s dibbling style is a bit like Diaby’s in my opinion so go figure…
Good player thou, incredibly versatile aswell, can basically play in any outfield position, technically gifted, physically strong with decent pace, good in the air, good tactical and positional awereness.
JohnnyMaverik said this on February 18, 2009 at 8:59 pm
Thankis for the profile, I’m a big fan of JET and always keep an eye on his progress. I realy hope he can make it…
However, I think u should update JET’s and Bartley’s profile, at least on the information about their height. I’ve seen a picture of them standing side by side (in arsenal’s official website), in that picture Bartley clearly looks taller than Thomas. To me, it’s more acceptable if u swap the measure, Thomas at 185 cm and Bartley at 191 cm.
Just a suggestion, no hard feelings mate! BTW i realy like this site/blog, Cheers…
Ganggas said this on May 4, 2009 at 8:08 pm
hard to think of him as a centre back, having only really seen him this year. One to watch…..
Claude said this on May 13, 2009 at 10:59 pm
I think he could to a job up front. Good strength, aerial ability and a decent shot. That would be one way of getting around his tactical problems in midfield/defence.
James said this on June 13, 2009 at 9:03 pm