As Arsenal begin to loan more and more young talent, a surprising trend is emerging. Where in previous years the Gunners have tried to exploit opportunities in Germany, now their youngsters seem more likely to end up in Swindon than in Stuttgart.
Things could still change, there are many more promising youngsters whose futures are yet to be decided and many of them will have clubs in the higher divisions knocking on their door.
But it’s at least intriguing to see an influx of Arsenal talent into League One. Zech Medley and Trae Coyle both joined Steve Evans ‘ambitious side of Gillingham, though both were unaware of the others’ move until their moves to Priestfield were completed.
Both had attracted interest beyond League One, Medley is believed to have been the subject of preliminary investigation by the league and Coyle from across Europe.
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“Trae has a lot to learn, his development has been entrusted to us but, in reality, his attitude and pace of work will determine his success at League One level because he is a very talented guy,” said Evans.
“He had a huge choice of clubs here in England, Holland and Germany, so we’re delighted to bring the boy here.”
Joining them in the third level will be Matt Smith of Swindon Town with the trio intending to follow in the footsteps of Ben Sheaf, who has won much admiration for his performances in Doncaster, and Tyreece John-Jules.
The teenage striker’s opportunities were limited by injury and coronavirus, but his professionalism and quality in front of goal impressed Lincoln, where he managed to break the most crucial duck for a striker and score his first senior goal in a competitive match.
Why League One? Arsenal’s view is that next season’s league should be competitive and of high quality. There is pressure to make Hale End graduates’ diamonds, but perhaps not as brutally ruthless as the league, where the riches of promotion and the threat of relegation inevitably push short-term thinking.
There are teams in League One with coaches they would be willing to trust to develop their prospects – Evans, Michael Appleton, Lee Bowyer and Richie Wellens – and who try to play football the right way.
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There may be more to it than that. It was remarkable that when Coyle joined Gillingham he talked about his readiness for “men’s football”.
“I’m happy to be here; it’s a big step for me. I’m getting to the age where I need to play men’s football and I think this is a great place for me to cast my first spell.”
That phrase “men’s football” became a buzzword when Per Mertesacker and Freddie Ljungberg took over the youth teams in 2018. At the latter’s insistence, Arsenal ended their absence from the EFL Trophy in so that their best and brightest could know the rough and tumble of senior football.
Ljungberg, now a member of the club’s transition squad which helps identify where potential clients should go on loan, noted at the time that if Arsenal were to prepare youngsters for life in English football, there would be a big advantage in the game. familiarize them with it from an early age. .
Certainly there are few better ways for Arsenal to find out how Coyle, Medley and Smith tackle men’s football than to throw them at the bottom.
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