In the midst of the money being thrown around to make signings that stands more or less like a statement, Arsenal has continuously maintained it ethos of finding the next big thing in the game, by always trying to balance the cheque book of modern football with giving young players who came through the Academy a chance to show their talent. With the signing of teenager Chris Willock and other young players, the club has invited 17 year old young Serbian midfielder Mladeb Micamovic for trials at the club with a view to signing him.
The player who is regarded highly in his country is seen an emerging star of the future. As stated earlier, Arsenal has always have had ethos that holds to the tenets of developing young players, the policy of catching them young has yielded some positive results for the club over the past few years. With the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Gael Clichy, Serge Gnabry and Wojciech Szczesny all arriving the club as 16 year olds and going on to prove themselves in the shirt of Arsenal. Also, Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs were brought in much younger and they have developed into first team players for the team.
The importance of catching players young cannot be overstated especially against the backdrop of the huge sums of money being spent on transfer fees with the likes of Real Madrid and PSG all making mockery of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.
The fact Arsenal can still maintain some semblance of sanity by bringing and giving players a chance should be commended. Although, not all of these players turn out to be a success under the umbrella of the club, but few have gone on to become competent footballers.
With Arsene Wenger being a developmental manager, there is every a chance that this trend of bringing young players to the club would continue, not particularly young players met for the Academy, but those that are close to first team football in their late teens.
The benefit of this trend has seen the club rake in some financial benefits with clauses inserted into player’s contract. The Carlos Vela experience comes to the mind. The Serbian might have arrived for just a trial, with a chance for the club to take a close look at him, yet there is chance that he would be signed on after it all. The policy of catching players young will always be a part of the club’s transfer strategy.
