THE YOUNG ONES

 

Dare I be positive? Yes I dare! The Arsenal are actively reducing the age profile of the squad. Tavares 21,  Lokonga 21, White 23 and the imminent Ramsdale 23 and Ødegaard 22 are all purchases that have a sell-on factor and regardless of the relative merits, seem to be planned, prudent and sensible acquisitions. Add to these players Saka 19, ESR 21, Tierney 24, Gabriel 23, Martinelli 20 and Balogun 20 and we are looking at an understandable and forward thinking plan.

The caveat is that with a young set of players you need to play in a way that allows them to express themselves, you also need those senior pros at the club to set the standard, lead the way and give them a platform from which to develop.

In my view Arteta is not the man to whom these raw gems should be entrusted as his approach is stifling. Nor do I feel the majority of senior pros at the club are the required role models. Because we have lumbered ourselves with a group of underachievers and those loitering in the departure lounge of their careers we are running the risk of tainting the promise of youth.

We have been here before as regards young players and for every Fabregas there has been a Denilson. We've seen the likes of Walcott  and  Maitland-Niles not fulfil their promise due to a number of factors and I guess that's what you get with youth; they won't all be greats, but I believe the fan base are more inclined to get behind young players and give them a chance than the same jaded over paid over the hill players happily seeing out silly money contracts.

My hope is that these players are given a chance to shine, preferably under a manager with experience and an understanding of how to galvanise the collective.

I'm reminded of George Graham's approach when he took over as Arsenal manager in 1986 where he discarded the journeymen and replaced them with canny new signings and youth team products. He enforced an ethos that reenforced what made The Arsenal The Arsenal. Far from being the boring team that it was labelled George Graham's Arsenal had many exciting swashbuckling performances based on a solid defence. Graham's Arsenal also were the foundations for Arsene Wenger to build upon.

The young players at the core of Arsenal 2021 need a leader and I just hope that Arteta doesn't dishearten them before he inevitably departs.