Which of Arsenal’s teenage stars is most likely to become a club legend?

Ollie Irish

17th, November 2009

15 Comments

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Everyone in the universe is raving about how brilliant Aaron Ramsey was for Wales against Scotland on Saturday – it’s frankly scary that he’s only 18 years old. Damn him for not being English – for the 2014 World Cup, I rather like the look of a midfield four of Jack Wilshere, Ramsey, Jack Rodwell and Theo Walcott. But sadly, it won’t happen.

Still, it got me thinking. Of all the young talent at Arsene Wenger’s disposal, which teenager is most likely to go on to become an Arsenal legend?

The contenders:

Wojciech Szczesny, goalkeeper (aged 19)
Polish keeper, massive (6ft 5in) for his age, made his League Cup debut in September and has already been called up to Poland’s senior national squad.

Craig Eastmond, defender/midfielder (18)
The Wandsworth-born youngster made his League Cup debut against Liverpool last month, and looked pretty good too. He has played for most of his Arsenal career in midfield but Wenger seems to like the look of him at right-back.

Aaron Ramsey, midfielder (18)
Ramsey is clearly one of those good-looking kids who could have been brilliant at most sports. But he chose football, and he’s on the fast track to becoming a Wales legend. Is he good enough to be an Arsenal legend though? So far, so good – he has all the tools to become a world-class central midfielder – he has more composure and vision than most players ten years his senior.

Francis Coquelin, midfielder (18)
Tenacious and athletic holding midfielder. Bags of energy but can also pick a pass. French.

Fran Merida, midfielder (19)
Extremely skilful Spaniard from Barcelona’s youth academy (like a certain Cesc Fabregas, who at 22 is too old for this list!). Scored a stunning goal against Liverpool in the League Cup. Very bright future indeed.

Jack Wilshere, midfielder (17)
So good at 17 that some observers have suggested that he’s worth a place in England’s World Cup squad next summer. I doubt he’ll make the flight, but the fact that he’s being talked about in those terms shows how highly thought of he is. Very composed on the ball and has an eye for goal too.

Sanchez Watt, winger/striker (18)
Could follow the Thierry Henry route from winger to centre-forward. The 18-year-old Englishman is very fast, very tricky and very confident.

Luke Freeman, striker (17)
Signed from Gillingham, for whom he made his first-team debut aged 15. He’s not the biggest (5ft 9in) or fastest but the Dartford-born striker certainly knows how to finish.

Who gets your vote?

Posted in Arsenal, Opinion

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15 Comments

  1. David green says:

    Bendtner scored the winner against Liverpool not Merida, who’s excellent strike opened the scoring.

  2. TeeCee says:

    What about Lansbury, Emmanuel-Thomas or Hoyte?

  3. megaman789 says:

    Wilshere.

  4. Barndoor Bendtner says:

    For me it is a close call between Wilshire and Ramsey in this vote, but all I can think when I look at this list is…..”The futures bright and its red and white”.
    I am literally drooling at the prospect of watching these players gracing the Emirates long in to the future.

  5. Alan says:

    Im excited about all of the above, but one name that everyone seems to forget is Jay Simpson, he looked stunning in last seasons carling cup team and was Millwalls player of the year the seasion before during his loan there, hes playing at QPR on loan for this season and again is amonst the goals.

  6. Mads F says:

    I’d go for the whole bunch:-D

  7. Phil says:

    I’m looking forward to it too, but not enough to literally drool, I am just about managing to keep control of my slather.

  8. Reda Abdel says:

    Fran Merida

  9. Reece says:

    i put Merida but you can’t be sure really due to the fact that some players will probably leave. That’s why im scared about Cesc leaving for Barcelona because i think alot of youngsters will try and follow him and people like Ramsey, players who have the champions league games for arsenal are most likely to move with him.

  10. Railhawksfan says:

    Our greatest need is at the holding MF position. We have Song but after that it has to be a toss up between Lil’ Coq and Eastmond. So, I voted for Eastmond. Did anyone else see the pic of him with our former capatain? Posted on Young Gunners and also in Big Soccer.

    But what a friggin’ good bunch of players to choose from?

    And no love for Jenas or Huddlestone from a Spuds fan? How could it be????

  11. Hirsty says:

    Wilshere and Ramsey for sure. Good luck to them all, though.

  12. rVp says:

    No Benik Afobe? I’ll go with JW then.

  13. Gregoir says:

    Well my vote is with Wilshire, but watch out for Freeman (youngest ever player in the FA Cup) and Coquelin, he is so like Makelele its scary, like a CM regen or something, Afobe is being tapped up by Barca if you believe the rumours, and Woijeck ‘Crtl V’ Szczeney has pedigree, his dad was a top keeper.

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  15. Vincent says:

    Ramsey wilshere Walcott for sure and many more

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