WTTGT Writer: John Montanye – Follow me
Speculation has been ongoing in the two weeks since the transfer window opened over what areas Arsenal need to improve on or provide cover.
Since most of what we have read from so-called experts and web pundits has been pure speculation and utter trash, I thought it would be fun to attack our needs from another angle.
I live in Spain, home of the reigning World Champions, and I am about to introduce you to give up and coming youngsters, Arséne’s specialty, from this great footballing country.
This is all just a dive into the farcical and fantasy. No actual connection to the club is intended nor implied, so chill ya boots!
Keep an eye on these names… you could well see them in red and white at some point
GK: Edgar Badia Guardiola , 19, Espanyol
Edgar Badia is a good rising goalkeeper. He is a member of the Under 19 Spanish team, and a currently plies his trade for Espanyol Cantera (youth team). He is agile, confident on the ball for a ‘keeper and extremely aggressive. He’s relatively unknown but is making his way through the system at Espanyol and being recognised by the national team’s coaches. He is praised for his composure and ability to communicate with his defense.
LB: Jon Aurtenetxe Borde , 19, Athletic Bilbao
The Basque club is producing some nice players from their youth teams. Several have already played for the first-team; Jon is one of those players. He is not the quickest left-back, but he is sturdy, a good technician on the ball, and knows when to go forward. Basically he will not let down the defense to make an offensive run. He is thought of highly in Spain as a future full international. He started last year well, making 10 appearances before a shoulder injury in training brought his season to an end late in 2010.
MF: Álex Fernández , 18, Real Madrid
Real Madrid coach, José Mourinho thinks highly of this midfielder, so much so that he gave him a taste of the first-team against Racing Santander this past year. Álex is more at home playing a holding role; but he works well with his defense, is precise in linking play to the forwards, and has a good shot from distance. A good comparison would be Xabi Alonso. Whilst they don’t get the recognition that the Barcelona youth team receives, the Madrid youth setup has nothing to envy, producing many stars over the years. Álex is one of the latest.
FW: Iker Muniain, 18, Athletic Bilbao
Muniain is a diminutive player with tons of pace. He mostly plays as a winger. He is creative and a good technician. He is praised for making good decisions and linking up well with his teammates, and his work rate is second to none. Muniain is not so much up and coming as he is already here, but at 18 he is still at the early stage of his career and has the potential to be a great player. He made his debut in 2009 with his club at the age of 16. At 18 he is a consistent fixture in the first XI, netting 5 goals in the last campaign. He also recently helped the Under 21 national team to win the European Championships.
FW: Álvaro Morata, 18, Real Madrid
Morata is one of the players on the rise at Real Madrid Castilla after signing from neighbors Getafe. Prior to that, he was in the youth ranks at Atletico Madrid. Morata is a physical striker, good in the air with a deadly touch in the box, a goal poacher if you will. Álvaro seems to be at the right place at the right time, netting 15 times this last year for Castilla, tying him for Pichichi (top scorer). He made his debut with the first-team in 2010/2011 against Zaragoza in league play. He is young, energetic, and technically proficient. He is highly motivated and full of confidence, thinking himself ready to fight for a place on the first-team. Many in the Spanish capital see a bright future ahead for Álvaro and Mourinho looks poised to give him more first team opportunities this year.
Knowing that Wenger likes the youngsters, could you see these 5 players wearing Arsenal colors? They are all technically sound, motivated and talented. The majority are not well known so we could get them on the cheap! Another Wenger specialty!
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