The Rise of Ben Cottrell

Pre-season friendlies can always bring around excellent opportunities for us to get glimpses of promising young players, its fascinating to see how they adapt in the unknown surroundings of the first team, some playing in unfamiliar positions just to get a chance to show what they can do.

That opportunity came knocking this week for U23s midfielder Ben Cottrell, who was thrown on for the last 30 minutes of the friendly against MK Dons and placed in the surprising position of Left Wing Back. Ben took this in his stride and made use of the small window to showcase his technical ability and his willingness to get stuck into challenges despite him being smaller then most of the other players. He looked like the youngest player on the pitch, but his touch was assured and he was not phased by taking part in a senior game.

The call up to the pre-season team comes as no shock, Cottrell has continued his rise at Arsenal through the age groups and has never stopped impressing, this season being named Scholar of the year. Whilst Ben admirably filled in at LWB, by trade he is a versatile midfielder. He's used often in a more attacking role, his low centre of gravity and ability makes him difficult to stop when receiving the ball in the pocket, he loves to drive at defenders and has also displayed his ability to shoot from distance with that magical left foot.

In his earlier years he was used as a winger where his dribbling and playmaking abilities did prove effective. He's also played many games in a deeper midfield role, usually in a double pivot, his fantastic passing ability and prowess as a ball carrier saw him excel in the central areas. The deeper role also helped him become a little more robust, the fruits of this were evident in the MK Dons game as he fearlessly engaged in duels with the apposing winger.

Cottrell has never been short of admirers, before he signed his professional contract with Arsenal he was heavily courted by Borussia Dortmund and Marseille, both would have been tempting destinations but the young Englishman chose to extend his stay in North London.

Cottrell's first minutes for the U18s came at the end of the 17/18 campaign as a 16-year old. The following season was a breakout season in the U18s scoring 6 times with 5 assists, he also managed to make his debut in the PL2. Cottrell played a variety of different positions and working hard to win his place in the side facing competition from the likes of Yunas Musah, Matt Smith and James Olayinka. One of his more notable moments was scoring a last minute winner in a top of the table clash against Spurs to help  Arsenal U18s land the League title.

In the 19/20 season his made the step up to play consistently in the PL2, whilst still taking part in some U18 games. There were some initial concerns around him handling the step up in physicality, however it didn't take Ben long to adapt to this new level of football and he was soon impressing with his performances. One of the highlights was laying on an assist for Tyreece John-Jules to score the winner against Southampton. Before the season was curtailed Ben had become a regular playing all the final 3 games.

Ben's playing style could draw comparison with that of Phil Foden. Both left-footed midfielders with great technical capacity, both diminutive ball carriers, weaving in and out of tight spaces, always adding disguises and deception to their passing and movement. What makes them even more dangerous is their versatility, both being able to operate in the channels or centrally, being effective in all phases and quick transitions.

Could he be a Left-Wing Back? unlikely. It's more probable Ben was slotted in to fill a position where Arteta was low on numbers. With Arteta being a coach that loves to test players, I'm sure he was watching closely to see how Ben would answer that challenge. The 18-year old certainly caught the eye with the commitment and desire he displayed during his short time on the pitch, qualities that the Spanish coach loves to see.

So what does the future hold? Ben will carry on his journey in the U23s, likely being deployed in Midfield again. with Tim Akinola being added and Migual Azeez being a big prospect its likely that Ben will see more time as an attacking midfielder, however he will face challenges from Catalin Cirjan and Salah-Eddine. Given the shortage of wide players in the U23s Ben may see some action on the flanks, but wherever he plays you know you will get the same levels of quality and consistency.

The New Look Arsenal U23s

In an eventful few weeks at Arsenal, there has been an intriguing emergence of a new strategy regarding how the U23s squad is utilised in conjunction with the first team. This new strategy is underpinned by the Academy's dual function of preparing the clubs most talented young players for the first team and producing players with value the club can profit from. 

This approach involves three elements, one being; to use younger players then previously, for example Miguel Azeez and Catalin Cirjan are set to be key components this coming season. The next element is to utilise the loan system, sending the more experienced U23 talents out to get their first taste of senior football. Ben Knapper(Loan Manager) has worked alongside Per Mertesacker to establish relationships with clubs such as Swindon and Gillingham. Knapper carefully analyses the potential loan destinations to be certain they will provide the most effective development opportunities. The final piece of the jigsaw is the scouting and acquisition of what could be referred to as projects, players who may have been overlooked and released by clubs but could improve and create value that could be capitalised on, this signifies a low risk/high reward strategy. In the last week we've seen the capture of George Lewis and Tim Akinola who definitely represent this bracket and there are likely to be more.

The incomings and outgoings for the U23s are far from complete, but we can start to see the picture of what the squad looks like. 

Goalkeepers:

This is an area that requires some decision making. Dejan Iliev will be the most obvious candidate to make way. There may be some discussion about whether Karl Hein remains or goes on loan, he is highly thought of by the club but his performances are not always consistent, the tougher challenge of senior football may help improve this.

Arthur Okonkwo is back training after a year away due to some personal issues, he may possess the most potential out of all of the Academy keepers and will hope to make the number one spot his own.

If Hein was to move on loan, one man who could emerge is James Hillson, who has continued to impress with performances when called upon. Tom Smith is another name in the mix, who finds himself down the pecking order.

Full Backs:

The right side seems quite clear with the impressive Daniel Oyegoke tipped to take the spot being pushed by Ryan Alebiosu. Jordi Osei-Tutu has returned to the club after a productive loan in Germany but it is likely he'll leave the club on loan or permanently. Zak Swanson's departure to the Netherlands has opened the space for Oyegoke to continue his positive displays. 

On the left side Tolaji Bola remains, but at 21 its likely the defender will seek Senior football away from the club. Joel Lopez is the prime candidate to continue his development, Mazeed Ogungbo is also capable of deputising.

Centre Backs

Emulating the first team in true fashion, the U23s have a fair few centre backs. With Medley going on loan and Ballard likely to follow it does leave a gap for the likes of Mark McGuinness and new signing Jonathan Dinzeyi, who could be seen as an aforementioned project player. A decision will be made regarding Harry Clarke, whose excellent performances last season led to him train with the first team, Clarke may stay and lead the defence or could move on loan. Joseph Olowu returns from his loan in Ireland in October, Ben Knapper has received positive reviews about his displays, its likely he may leave on loan again but Bould and Mertesacker may want to have a look at him. Mazeed Ogungbo and Alex Kirk will also be looking in and hoping to make an impact at a new level, especially Ogungbo who is known for his leadership qualities.

Midfielders

The highly talented Miguel Azeez will be hoping to step up his development in central midfield and could develop a pivot with the tough tackling Tim Akinola. Ben Cottrell will want to maintain his spot as an attacking midfielder but he will face stiff competition from the very promising Romanian Catalin Cirjan, who caught everyone's eye last season, he also showed great chemistry in his combination with Azeez. James Olayinka gained a lot of admirers during his short time on loan, its likely he'll leave again, Ben Sheaf will also bring his time with the Gunners to an end. Considering this, we remain fairly light in numbers. Jordan McEnuff may fill that void somewhat, but the club may opt to add another midfielder.

Wingers and Forwards

The situation around Folarin Balogun remains quite blurry, whatever the outcome its likely he wont be playing U23s football this coming season. Tyreece John-Jules also has proved way to good for this level and will likely leave on loan with plenty of clubs queueing up to acquire his services. This leaves Sam Greenwood to lead the attack, the talented England international is versatile and known as a goalscorer, it will be an important season for him to step out of the shadows. On the wings, George Lewis will hopefully be showing us why everyone is excited about his arrival. Ben Cottrell could also be used wide if needed. Winger, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji will hope to make the step up and build on his impressive performances so far. With Alfie Matthews on trial at Palace this leaves the club needing more players up top, its likely another winger will be brought in to replace the departing loanees and Nathan Tormey.

Some big decisions need to be made on a few players and I'm sure a few more will come onboard too, but there is a lot to be excited about regarding this team and the new direction the BFG is as guiding us. We will learn a lot about the development of players like Greenwood and Lopez and also get to see some of our brightest prospects develop on loan such as Matt Smith and Trae Coyle. The new additions such as Lewis, Dinzeyi and Akinola will be interesting to keep an eye on. Hopefully all these changes will see good young players promoted to the first team and other young players leaving for good value, all these things will help move the club forward.

Joel Lopez - Ready to Challenge

For a young player with the Lineage of Barcelona to Arsenal, there is a weight of expectation that seeks to dictate the player should rise rapidly through the youth ranks and be impacting on the first team in before they've even fully unpacked their suitcase. For Joel Lopez, his progression has faced an incline that would not behold any fast track to Senior football but a steady journey.

After spending the last two seasons in our U18s team the Spaniard will now step up to the U23s, and whilst some of his development has been difficult to measure from the outside, this will now provide Lopez with a more stern test that will tell us exactly how far he has progressed and how close to Senior football he really is.

What we know about the left back already is that he is very comfortable on the ball with excellent technique. He has good pace and a sense of adventure in his runs on and off the ball. Not too dissimilar to a young Hector Bellerin, what is needed is to work on the defensive side of his game and his physicality. Lopez sees himself as an attacking full back who can support in the attacking phase through crosses into the box or link up play with the wide forwards, Jordi Alba being the model example. 

Joel will take great inspiration from the Spanish contingent around Arsenal with Mister Arteta at the helm but also Hector Bellerin who has become a great example to young players on and off the field. The 18-year old will also want to emulate Nacho Monreal as being a successful Arsenal Left-Back.

Lopez came to the Gunners from La Masia in August 2018 joining as a Scholar, during his first season in the U18s he did enough to earn a professional contract in March 2019. His performances in the first season offered much insight into his potential but also where he would need to develop. This past season the U18s struggled for results, especially in the early part of the season, however Lopez and the team were able to improve upon their form and the former Barcelona product gained a call up to the U23s. His U23s debut did not go as hoped with Arsenal losing 3-0 at Liverpool. It was a learning curve for the Spaniard as he needlessly conceded the free kick for the opening goal, however the experience will certainly aid him in his transition for the coming season.

The club have high hopes Lopez could progress and eventually provide good competition to Kieran Tierney. This season in the U23s will give Joel a platform to take the next step in that Journey. The Spaniard has become somewhat of a forgotten man in some respects, as some thought he would of progressed quicker. Without a global pandemic being around he almost certainly would of played more for the u23s by this point, but now will be the time that people start to take notice of Joel Lopez again.

Time for Sam Greenwood to Breakout of the Shadows

Whether it be on loan or permanently, the futures of Tyreece John-Jules and Folarin Balogun appear to be away from Arsenal. This presents a timely opportunity for Sam Greenwood to emerge from the shadows as the lead striker in the U23s for the coming 20/21 season.

This could be a pivotal moment in the career of the English striker, if he's able to take this chance with both hands he could firmly throw himself into the mix of the striking options Arteta has for the near future. The Spanish coach has evidenced that if he feels a player is good enough, they will get chances regardless of age. It serves as great motivation for Sam to try and propel himself into that picture.

The competition for such recognition as a goal-scorer is high at Arsenal, with Eddie Nketiah and the aforementioned, John-Jules and Balogun, the task of setting himself apart will be tough. However, there are components to Greenwood's game that will encourage this. The former Sunderland player is very versatility, being able to perform as a 10, linking play together, a wide forward cutting inside or a 9 using his pace to run in behind and finish. Greenwood possesses a crisp technical ability with a clean first touch that always allows him to assess the options around him. His biggest strength is his ability in striking the ball, whether it be in the penalty area, from distance or in a dead ball situation, he is able to display great accuracy and use this as a very effective weapon.

Sam's first season for Arsenal was very impressive, instantly making an impact for the U18s and helping them clinch the League title by scoring 10 goals and 5 assists in 21 games. The forward has also been a prolific scorer for England where he has played for the U16/17/18 groups.

This past season proved more difficult for Sam in an U18 team that struggled; however he did manage to make a step up to U23s football making 5 appearances. He also got off the mark in his best performance for the U23s, coming off the bench with 10 minutes left with Arsenal 0-2 down, Greenwood quickly scored and later helped force an own goal, bringing the game back to 2-2. The game that really reminded everyone of Sam's talent was an FA Youth Cup win where he scored a brace which capped off a great performance to beat Brighton 4-3.

The further his career progresses there will be more inevitable comparisons to another player named Greenwood at Manchester United, however Sam's story with United doesn't end there as he turned the Red Devils down in order to join Arsenal. There has also been comparisons in his playing style to a player both clubs know well, Robin Van Persie.

Arsenal snapped Greenwood up from his native Sunderland, where he had a great reputation as a player who couldn't stop scoring. He signed a professional deal with Arsenal in 2019 which helped ward off the interest of Italian giants' Juventus and AC Milan. 

It's clear Sam has many admirers and a lot to live up to if he is to reach the next level. It's been a steady ride for him so far at Arsenal and the 5 appearances he has in the U23s will serve as good experience for the coming season as he looks to become the next Arsenal striker that gets everyone talking.

AMN - The Captain of Hale End Must Stay.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles is currently the most senior Hale End graduate in the first team, he's been a wonderful example of how young players must overcome adversity in order to progress to the next level. 

This journey has been highly influenced by a man players refer to as 'Mister'. Mikel Artea is a coach who will test you, your response will tell him everything he needs to know, a player will either sink or swim. It was certainly clear in 2019 that Maitland-Niles stood at that crossroads. 

The reaction of the young Englishman was to produce some eye-catching performances on both sides of the wingback role. The position he played became irrelevant to some extent, what became more important was the impact he was making on the pitch and how vital this became to the functions of the team. 

One of the most notable displays came against the explosive Wolves dangerman Adama Traore, a player that few had been able to contain, Traore had his moments but what really stood out was how Maitland-Niles was able to match him for strength and pace and keep the winger at bay. Another highlight was against the trickery of Riyad Mahrez in the FA Cup Semi Final, the Algerian’s close control and movement posed a different threat but one the Wing back was able to intelligently cope with.

Now as the season has closed there is a temptation to cash in on an asset that will clearly have the interest of many. A player with a mix of quality and versatility could benefit just about any squad. Arteta is of the sound mind that AMN clearly benefits Arsenal and has gone on the record of wanting him to stay. It's easy to see why, given the number of high quality wingers that have struggled in duels with wing-back.

Ainsley represents all of this for Arsenal but also much more, there is a cohort of exciting young players at Colney that may find themselves at similar crossroads in the future. To see how Ainsely rose through the Academy and applied himself  through adversity will be an important example for young players to follow.

The Londoner joined Arsenal at the age of 6 and rapidly progressed through the age groups. His senior debut came at 17 in the Champions League against Galatasaray, however it was evident from his time in the U18s that Arsenal had a player of great talent, capable of performing multiple roles. An important loan at Ipswich added good experience to his toolkit, he was well taken care of under the guidance of Mick McCarthy. The loan proved AMN was physically able to cope with senior football. His return to Arsenal saw some experimentation in his positioning, with Wenger opting to try him at centre back for some pre season games. This helped prepare him for a defensive role in which he learned to excel in. Whilst his time as a full/wing back has had a lot of challenging times, his determination overcame these barriers to the point where it is now where he is most effective on the field.

The FA Cup win was a career highlight for the one they call 'The Birdcatcher' his performance in the semi final and final really symbolised the journey he has been on. Everyone can see how vital he is to the team regardless of whether he starts or has a role coming off the bench.

Arsenal may be able to command a handsome fee for the 22-year old, but what we will lose is a versatile, combative, home-grown talent that is destined for a stellar career.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles Simply Must Stay.

  

Where Are They Now? (Part One)

Player Development and Talent Scouting are tricky things, some players look like world beaters at Academy level but take longer to realise that potential, others fade slightly in the spotlight and have steady careers under the radar. So here is a trip down memory lane to take a brief look at several players that have played in our Academy in the last decade that were once revered for their intriguing potential. We'll delve deep into their careers and see how they faired once they left the gates of London Colney.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas

'JET' had huge potential during his time with Arsenal, notably as a highly impactful figure in the 08/09 Youth Cup winning team. He also managed 5 senior appearances for the club, with one coming as a substitute in the Premier League. Wenger was a fan the his versatility but injuries and timing meant that his chances were limited. He left Arsenal for Ipswich Town in 2011 but it wasn't till he joined Bristol City 2 years later that he began to really showcase his ability, playing in a more forward role he scored 33 goals in 2 seasons for The Robins. This earned him a move to QPR, however he struggled with form and spent further periods on loan to MK Dons and Gillingham as a result. In 2019 the London born player made the trip to play in Thailand with PTT Rayong, he played there for 6 months but is now currently without a club at 29 years old. A player with clear ability but consistency has always been his Achilles heel.

Chuba Akpom 

Akpom was a favourite of many during his time in the Academy, scoring goals for fun, it seemed only a matter of time before he was to replicate that form in Senior football. Playing 4 times for Arsenal he came very close to scoring in a few of those occasions. He had a number of loan spells during his time with the gunners, some more fruitful then others, but it just wouldn't come together for him at the Emirates. He left Arsenal for good in 2018 to PAOK in Greece. Playing as a winger he became an instant hit with the Greek fans and scored crucial goals to help them secure their first league title in 34 years. Akpom continued this form and also represented the club in Champions League. A host of English clubs were keen on bringing him back to England but it appears Besiktas have agreed a fee for his services, his career continues to grow.

Chuks Aneke

Aneke at academy level was a strong and technical player that was once courted by Barcelona. Despite making his League Cup debut and having some positive loan spells he was let go in 2014. Initially the Londoner made the brave move to play in Belgium with Zulte Waregem, he played two seasons abroad before making his return to England to play with MK Dons. Aneke had some good years in Milton Keynes helping them win promotion to League One in 2019 scoring 19 goals along the way. This earned him a move to Lee Bowyers Charlton in the Championship where unfortunately their season ended in relegation, Chuks will no doubt be a part of the push for promotion next season.

Fran Merida

The Spaniard was a playmaker filled with ability and promise in his time at Arsenal, Merida made 16 appearances in total even scoring twice. After leaving Barcelona for Arsenal the weight of pressure to follow the success of Fabregas possibly weighed heavy for Merida, he struggled for consistency and his time in North London ended in 2010. Merida landed nicely on his feet at Atletico Madrid and represented them in the Champions League, however he struggled to break into the first 11 and left in 2012 for Hercules. Apart from a quick stop in Brazil, Merida has had a solid career in Spain and settled at Osasuna in 2016 where he has been ever since playing well over 100 games for them. This summer his contract came to an end and the 30 year old will be looking for his next challenge.

Marcus McGuane

In 2018 Mcguane shocked Arsenal fans around the world by signing for Barcelona. The young Londoner had been a standout in the Academy, having captained the U18s and impressed in his time with the U23s. The midfielder had also hit the radar of Arsene Wenger coming off the bench to make his debut in a Europa League game in 2017. Barca made their move in January of 2018 and he was immediately assigned to their B team. Marcus made a number of appearances and trained with Messi and company on occasions, but the highlight came in March 2018 when he came off the bench in the Catalan Super Cup Final to be the first Englishman to represent Barca in 29 years since Gary Lineker. After some time Marcus began to lose his way in Spain and in 2019 he was re-united with former Arsenal Academy Head Andries Jonker at Telstar in the Dutch second tier, the re-union reignited Mcguane and his performances earned him a move to Nottingham Forest in February 2020. He will look to break into their first team in the coming season.

Glen Kamara

Kamara didn't spend too long in Hale End or Colney but he was part of the infamous horror show that was Sheffield Wednesday away in the Cup, a 3-0 loss and a dark day for Arsenal. The Finnish midfielder never recovered his gunners career but he took a chance in Scotland with Dundee in 2017. Kamara was an instant success and his all action performances convinced Steven Gerrard to sign him for Rangers. Glen became a revelation at Ibrox and is considered one of the first names on the teamsheet. Recent reports have linked him with an £8m move to Marseille. It will definitely be a struggle to keep him in Glasgow, his progress since leaving North London has been rapid.

Julio Pleguzuelo

The player affectionally known as 'Pleggy' had been a favourite of many who followed his progress. Arriving in 2013 from Barcelona, the Spaniard was an intelligent defender with real leadership qualities and there was real hope from the Arsenal camp that he could translate this to Senior football. After some loan moves back in Spain, Julio made one last push at Arsenal in 2018 and gave some assured performances in the U23s which finally led to his Arsenal debut in League Cup against Blackpool. This performance renewed hope that he had something to offer Arsenal but it wasn't meant to be and he Joined FC Twente in 2019. The Spaniard has had an good season in the Eredivisie playing at Right Back and Centre Back, helping a struggling FC Twente avoid relegation. At 23 years old his best years remain in front of him and his career will likely continue to progress upwards.

Where Are They Now(Part Two) will be coming towards the end of 2020

Next Gen Arsenal

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