Arsenal announced their squad for tonight’s League Cup match against Coventry City today, with the usual mixture of youth, fringe players and a couple of first-teamers.
The full squad looks like this
Goalkeepers: Martinez, Shea.
Defenders: Angha, Djourou, Miquel, Santos, Bellerin, Squillaci.
Midfielders: Chamberlain, Coquelin, Frimpong, Yennaris, Arshavin, Eisfeld, Gnabry.
Forwards: Giroud, Chamakh, Walcott.
Starting line up
Martinez, Miquel, Djourou, Angha, Yennaris, Santos, Coquelin, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Arshavin, Giroud
As ever there are a few names that will mean absolutely nothing to many Gooners, so here’s the lowdown:
Damien Martinez: A very highly rated prospect from Argentina, ‘Emi’ has been capped at under 17 and 19 level for his country, even earning a call-up for the full squad, though he hasn’t featured. While his pro experience consists of a single game for Oxford United on loan, he’s viewed as a long-term challenger to Sczezny as Arsenal’s number 1. He’s expected to start in goal tonight.
James Shea you will all know from the bench in recent games, as Mannone is the only senior keeper fit.
Martin Angha: A roving full-back who’s impressed this season in the Under-21s, Angha is also expected to start. A tall, physical presence, he competes with Hector Bellerin (more on him in a moment) for a starting berth, but his pace and crossing have made an impact for Terry Burton’s side this season.
Hector Bellerin: Signed from Barcelona’s La Masia academy last season, but fear not, this isn’t quite a new Fabregas. While indeed a midfielder upon his signing, he’s been converted into a right-back in the mold of Angha, and the two indeed compete for places, occasionally playing together with one of the two moving to left-back.
Nico Yennaris: A proper Gooner through and through, this Londoner can play at right-back (as we saw last season briefly) or in his preferred centre-mid position. Very highly rated by the Arsenal coaching staff, he’s one to watch.
Serge Gnabry: The jewel in the crown of Arsenal’s youth set-up. The 17-year old German only signed professional terms this year but is expected to make the jump to first-team football possibly by the end of this season. Compared by Arsene Wenger himself to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, the stocky German plies his trade on the wing, but has the creativity and vision to eventually move centrally. If anyone ‘makes it’ out of this lot, it’ll be Serge Gnabry.
Thomas Eisfeld: If Gnabry is a dead cert to break the first team, Arsenal’s other young German is a close second. Signed in January from Borussia Dortmund’s academy, the 19-year old would have followed the career path of their ace midfielder Mario Goetze, if he hadn’t made an earlier impact. Sensing his playing chances were limited, Eisfeld moved to Arsenal.
People who watched Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia may remember the two cool finishes he provided, earning him the nickname/chant of ‘Eis Eis Baby’. He’s an attacking midfielder with more than a small eye for goal, and while he won’t start tonight, he should certainly make it off the bench.
Here’s hoping Arsenal’s latest crop is at the level (or higher) of the legendary 06/07 team that made it all the way to the final. At least this team won’t have Armand Traore in it.
Latest:
