I have to admit I didn't expect Macey to survive the last squad clearout. He may have the height and reflexes working for him, but his judgement is still quite poor. He only makes the U21 squad by default until we settle on Huddart's replacement.
One area we need to work on is bulking some of the smaller players up. Our lads are quick, but get thrown around a lot.
On the same note, Iliev needs to be farmed out.
Very surprised he got a new contract last season. Always thought Vickers looked better of the 3 (Macey/Iliev/Vickers). Think I read Vickers has signed for Swansea now.
Looks like the Swansea move may have been swayed by the Arsenal influence. I get the attraction of meeting up with old friends, but a 20-year old keeper should not be signing up to be 3rd choice.
The position barely rotates and one bad game could wreck a season. He'd have been better off as a starter in the Championship
You missed out Amaury Bischoff
Good article, DJ
Are we focusing less on developing players through the U21s and trying to utilise the loan system more?
Seems more and more our best prospects are getting loaned out, or has it always been that way and I've just never noticed?
There is no justification in keeping both Zelalem and Bielik in the reserve squad for another season. They are clearly ahead of the curve, and the lack of incentive will result in yet another wasted season for them.
I can only guess that Wenger expects massive shortages in the senior squad.
Chris, it is an increase in season long loans to higher standard clubs. I think it is more an indication of the quality, we had a couple of years gap of players at a standard where they would be good enough for such loans.
Gillespie, in terms of Bielik I think it is better to keep him, to allow him to settle in the country and develop with us.
As for Zelalem, I don't think he is at a standard where he would get meaningful game time at a club of a decent level (in England at least). He needs to develop physically as well as come out of his shell a fair bit. He should be a leader of the reserves, maybe not vocally but leading by example.
And of course it is possible to loan them out later. Both may get a League Cup run out if their form is good.
Team tonight
@jeorgebird: Arsenal u21: Macey; Moore, Bielik, Pleguezuelo, M. Bola; Kamara, Zelalem; Sheaf, Reine-Adelaide, Iwobi; Mavididi.
Bielik at CB is interesting. Mavididi wins the fight to start up front.
No Willock, Hinds, Fortune in the squad, could feature for u18s tomorrow.
Oops, Fortune is on bench.
Still early doors. O'Connor and Willock have the quality to fight their way into the squad eventually. Really interested to see how Iwobi, Adelaide and Sheaf works out.
Strange that the senior squad has played a flat 4-1-4-1 for a year now, while the youth squads still use a 4-2-3-1. The two formations are poles apart when attacking or defending.
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Arsenal U-21 2015/16 season preview.
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posted on 13/8/15
I have to admit I didn't expect Macey to survive the last squad clearout. He may have the height and reflexes working for him, but his judgement is still quite poor. He only makes the U21 squad by default until we settle on Huddart's replacement.
One area we need to work on is bulking some of the smaller players up. Our lads are quick, but get thrown around a lot.
posted on 13/8/15
On the same note, Iliev needs to be farmed out.
posted on 13/8/15
Very surprised he got a new contract last season. Always thought Vickers looked better of the 3 (Macey/Iliev/Vickers). Think I read Vickers has signed for Swansea now.
posted on 13/8/15
Looks like the Swansea move may have been swayed by the Arsenal influence. I get the attraction of meeting up with old friends, but a 20-year old keeper should not be signing up to be 3rd choice.
The position barely rotates and one bad game could wreck a season. He'd have been better off as a starter in the Championship
posted on 13/8/15
You missed out Amaury Bischoff
posted on 13/8/15
Good article, DJ
Are we focusing less on developing players through the U21s and trying to utilise the loan system more?
Seems more and more our best prospects are getting loaned out, or has it always been that way and I've just never noticed?
posted on 13/8/15
There is no justification in keeping both Zelalem and Bielik in the reserve squad for another season. They are clearly ahead of the curve, and the lack of incentive will result in yet another wasted season for them.
I can only guess that Wenger expects massive shortages in the senior squad.
posted on 13/8/15
Chris, it is an increase in season long loans to higher standard clubs. I think it is more an indication of the quality, we had a couple of years gap of players at a standard where they would be good enough for such loans.
Gillespie, in terms of Bielik I think it is better to keep him, to allow him to settle in the country and develop with us.
As for Zelalem, I don't think he is at a standard where he would get meaningful game time at a club of a decent level (in England at least). He needs to develop physically as well as come out of his shell a fair bit. He should be a leader of the reserves, maybe not vocally but leading by example.
posted on 13/8/15
And of course it is possible to loan them out later. Both may get a League Cup run out if their form is good.
posted on 14/8/15
Team tonight
@jeorgebird: Arsenal u21: Macey; Moore, Bielik, Pleguezuelo, M. Bola; Kamara, Zelalem; Sheaf, Reine-Adelaide, Iwobi; Mavididi.
Bielik at CB is interesting. Mavididi wins the fight to start up front.
No Willock, Hinds, Fortune in the squad, could feature for u18s tomorrow.
posted on 14/8/15
Oops, Fortune is on bench.
posted on 14/8/15
Still early doors. O'Connor and Willock have the quality to fight their way into the squad eventually. Really interested to see how Iwobi, Adelaide and Sheaf works out.
Strange that the senior squad has played a flat 4-1-4-1 for a year now, while the youth squads still use a 4-2-3-1. The two formations are poles apart when attacking or defending.
Page 1 of 1