Rivals reap the bounty of Arsenal’s offcasts
When Tottenham’s glass jaw was finally shattered in spectacular style against Birmingham on Sunday, the identity of the scorer provided extra punch. Cheap Nike Air Max UK The peddler of last-minute misery from 30-odd yards was Sebastian Larsson, a player who learnt his trade just down the Seven Sisters Road at Arsenal.
In Lancashire, Blackburn were buoyed by two sublime strikes from David Bentley, buy canada goose jacket usa currently the most high-profile former Gunner in the Premier League. nike air presto bambini On Wearside, another three points were snatched by a one-time Arsenal prodigy, with Anthony Stokes hooking home the winner in Sunderland’s relegation dust-up against Derby.
The youthful exuberance with which Arsenal have torn into teams this season has been widely marvelled at, with glowing praise being lavished on every silken square-ball.
Yet the bounty being produced by the Arsenal youth system is not being enjoyed solely by Emirates patrons, or canada goose coat 1000 calorie diets even those home fans who pitch up when Arsène Wenger’s team comes canada goose coat $5000 no credit check signature loans to town. air max 2017 dames Almost as if by stealth, Wenger’s academy graduates are popping up all over the top flight.
At White Hart Lane, the frustration being felt by Spurs fans seething at Robbie Keane’s dismissal will have been compounded best replica canada goose jacket by the knowledge that Fabrice Muamba, the victim of the Irishman’s challenge, was until recently on their rival’s books.
Birmingham, who established a significant trade route between north London and the Midlands under Steve best canada goose jacket womens Bruce, are also employing Johan Djourou on loan alongside Larsson in midfield – whilst last best ideas about canada goose parka on pinterest season’s promotion charge was in part fuelled by 11 goals from Nicklas Bendtner, who is back at Emirates and attempting to force his way into Wenger’s best place buy canada goose jacket toronto first-choice line-up.
Among other starters on Saturday were Steve Sidwell at Chelsea, Jérémie Aliadière for Middlesbrough, and Matthew Upson for West Ham. new balance 530 online shop Sidwell left Arsenal in 2003 for Reading, where he caught the eye of Jose Mourinho (albeit as click a free transfer), while Aliadière was playing under Wenger as recently as last season, before attempts to establish his Premier League reputation led him to Teesside.
Upson, who lined up against Sidwell at Stamford Bridge, also took the high road to Birmingham on his way to a first England cap and an eventual transfer back to London during the January transfer window.
James Harper, a young Gunner until 2001, has been one of only three ever-presents in Reading’s team so far this year, while average cost canada goose jacket Jermaine Pennant, brought to Arsenal in 1999 for a then record £2m for a teenager, continues to perform for Liverpool.
Fulham’s Moritz Volz is another former red and white reserve making his way in the Premier League.
One of the chief criticisms levelled at Wenger’s policy of giving youth its head is that it favours youth of foreign extraction. scarpe nike air max However, alongside Ashley Cole, who grew up to become a member of the Invincibles before defecting to Knightsbridge, players like Upson and Pennant thrust themselves into first-team contention at Arsenal before seeking further opportunities elsewhere.
The likes of Sidwell and Stokes, Bentley and Larsson may have found themselves surplus to requirements at Emirates, but the skills they developed when coming through the Arsenal ranks have undoubtedly stood them in good stead – and fans around the country were treated to examples of their pedigree at the weekend.
With other products of authentic canada goose outlet online the Arsenal set-up experiencing life on loan this season (albeit at best canada goose jacket for skiing a lower level), including Matthew Connolly (Colchester), Kerrea Gilbert (Southend) and Jay Simpson (Millwall) – not to mention Mexican wunderkind, Carlos Vela, abroad with Osasuna – the production line doesn’t look like slowing down.
The current crop of tyros impressing at Emirates is clearly exceptional, but the standards and ethos being impressed are a positive for the Premier League as a whole.