Arsenal might have spoted new Trossard who has ‘everything’ in 18-year sensation at the Hale End
The youngster could accompany the Belgian in the coming years.
Arsenal’s academy production is in full swing of late and a host of talent is currently bolstering the first-team exploits that put them at the top of the Premier League.
Mikel Arteta also needs to earn some credit as he is a coach who can integrate such unproven strengths into the senior team so easily that they are relieved of the pressure these moves bring.
Players like Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith-Rowe, Gabriel Martinelli and others all came as unknowns, but their youth was no obstacle to their promotion to the top flight.
Such is that golden road that has since been paved, and many of their current academy stars are now pushing for the opportunity to shine. One such name that keeps cropping up among Hale End’s top wonderkids is Charles Sagoe Jr, the dangerous winger posing a threat to every full-back he faces at Under-21 level.
As such, the teenager could be seen as the natural successor to Leandro Trossard, who has had a good start to life in north London but is much older than many of his attacking teammates, which lends credence at the suggestion that his place will be available in a few years.
Who is Charles Sagoe Jr?
Dubbed ‘Livewire striker’ with immense versatility on Arsenal’s official website, the 18-year-old wonder has really shined in Premier League 2 this season.
With five goals and two assists, his dazzling work at youth level even saw him on the bench in Arsenal’s Europa League first leg against Sporting CP. Taking to Twitter last month, journalist George Addo Jr explained how Sagoe Jr’s performances had also drawn a lot of attention, writing: “Charles Sagoe Jr has been in fine form for Arsenal’s U21s all season He is now Arsenal’s top scorer in Premier League 2.”
Sagoe Jr. is a livewire attacking player who can operate either as an offensive midfielder or on the wing, Charles Jr was one of the standout performers at under-18 level last season with ten goals from 29 appearances.
He also scored a dramatic late winner off the bench for the under-21s against Newport County in the Papa John’s Trophy group stage.
Genuinely two-footed, Charles – who joined our Hale End Academy from Fulham in 2015 – put pen to paper on his professional contract in July 2022.
While Trossard has just one goal since signing in January, the 28-year-old more than makes up for his lack of power with a fine injection of much-needed creativity.
In just 12 league games for the Gunners, the Belgian had seven assists and was voted player of the month in March. Not bad for someone who’s only been in North London for a few months.
Saka at the Hale End
He will now be the player the budding stars of Hale End will turn to to hone their impressive skills and Sagoe Jr. should be no different. In fact, the quick-footed youngster has qualities similar to the former Brighton ace, with an unpredictable character capable of causing carnage among opposing defenders.
This was notably picked up by another Hale End graduate in Reiss Nelson, who spoke directly to the winger and commented: “I’ve been watching you, I watch U21 games a lot and literally, I just don’t say that. being here you have what it takes to become an Arsenal winger.
“You’re unpredictable, you can move left and right, you can score, you can assist, you have it all.”
With this huge accolade and the path in sight to eventually emulating Trossard’s offensive exploits, Sagoe Jr should be confident that his time in the senior spotlight is imminent.
Do you think he can come into the team and do just fine as Saka did? Leave your comments…
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Arsenal’s against Man City fixtures ahead of Premier League title race
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are just ten games away from a truly remarkable title win.
Despite the club’s disappointing end to the 2021-22 season, there was excitement among the Gooners ahead of the new season. Edu had worked his magic in the transfer market and Arteta’s side shone on the pitch last season. However, very few expected to be in their current position before the final stage of the campaign.
The goal was to finish in the top four. The triumph of the title was to come later.
However, Arsenal’s brilliance this season means they currently hold an eight-point lead over nearest rivals Man City in the title race. The current back-to-back holders have played one game less and are finally starting to find their compelling rhythm, but chasing down the Gunners will be no mean feat.
Here’s how the two clubs’ Premier League schedules compare to the final quarter of the 2022/23 season.
Arsenal’s remaining 2022/23 Premier League fixtures
01/04/23 – Arsenal – Leeds (3.00pm)
09/04/23 – Liverpool – Arsenal (4.30pm)
16/04/23 – West Ham – Arsenal (2.00pm)
21/04/23 – Arsenal – Southampton (20:00)
26/04/23 – Manchester City – Arsenal (20:00)
29/04/23 – Arsenal – Chelsea (5.30pm)
05/06/23 – Newcastle – Arsenal (3.00pm)
13/05/23 – Arsenal – Brighton & Hove Albion (3.00pm)
20/05/23 – Nottingham Forest – Arsenal (3.00pm)
28/05/23 – Arsenal – Wolves (4.30pm)
The Gunners’ schedule is always busy. They have won four and lost five of the corresponding games they have left in this 2021/22 season (excluding Forest away).
Their crucial games include Liverpool, Newcastle and of course City in April, all of whom are away from home. If they get six points from those games, for example, they are well placed to claim their first title since 2003/04.
However, their supposedly “easy” matches on their schedule are pitted against teams fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table. The league leaders face Leeds and Southampton in April, with both teams desperate to score points to support their bid for survival. The City Ground is no easy place to win, as City have recently discovered, while Brighton under both Graham Potter and Roberto De Zerbi have demonstrated their ability against the Premier League’s best. Whilst Arsenal are expected to win most of their remaining games, these games are far from easy and the added pressure will only make these fixtures more difficult.
Manchester City’s remaining 2022/23 Premier League fixtures
01/04/23 – Manchester City – Liverpool (12:30)
04/08/23 – Southampton-Man City (17:30)
15/04/23 – Manchester City-Leicester (17:30)
23/04/23 – Brighton & Hove Albion – Manchester City (date TBC)
26/04/23 – Manchester City – Arsenal (20:00)
30/04/23 – Fulham – Manchester City (2.00pm)
05/06/23 – Manchester City – Leeds (15:00)
13/05/23 – Everton-Manchester City (15:00)
20/05/23 – Manchester City – Chelsea (3.00pm)
28/05/23 – Brentford-Man City (4.30pm)
Manchester City have more than just a Premier League title to think about, which should play into Arsenal’s favour. The Citizens will face Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals in April and Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi-finals.
However, the Citizens have been here before and certainly have the team depth to compete on multiple fronts. Pep Guardiola won’t be too concerned about the reduced schedule.
As for the remaining Premier League matches, City host the majority of the “difficult” matches against Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea. Though the road to Brighton will be tricky, so will a trip to Goodison Park in May. Brentford’s home form will scare Guardiola if City need points to win the title on the final day.
However, there is no doubt that City’s schedule to finish the season is friendlier than Arsenal’s. However, the Gunners’ lighter workload could prove to be their trump card in the end.
Who do you think the fixture could favour looking at the teams they go agaonst.? Leave your comments…
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Sheringham tells Arsenal they could achieved their main West Ham midfielder target for the summer
Sheringham tells Arsenal they could achieved their main West Ham midfielder target for the summer
Former Tottenham striker Teddy Sheringham says he doesn’t “want to see” Declan Rice at Arsenal because he “would make them a better team”.
The West Ham midfielder has put in consistently impressive performances for the Hammers for some years now, although his form has deteriorated this season with David Moyes’ side struggling in the Premier League.
West Ham are currently in the Premier League relegation zone with 12 games left to play this season and it now looks all but certain that Rice will continue into the summer transfer window.
Rice has several suitors but Arsenal and Chelsea are said to be the two main teams interested in signing him in the next window.
The England international has made it clear that he wants to play in the Champions League as soon as possible and Arsenal are certainly in a better position to bid next season than 10th-placed Chelsea. It was rumored it could cost between £70m and £100m to sign Rice from West Ham in the summer and he justified his price again on Thursday night.
Rice scored as England beat Italy 2-1 in their first Euro 2024 qualifying match in Naples with the West Ham midfielder showcasing a brilliant display.
Speaking of Rice, Sheringham admitted he would be a brilliant signing for Arsenal. He told talkSPORT: “You put him against other great players and the complete midfielder could defend, tackle, run forward but also score goals.
“If you add a few goals to Declan’s game, maybe not a few, if you add six or seven goals to Declan Rice’s game with what he has right now, suddenly you’re talking about an absolute world hitter by a player.
“Wherever he goes, he will make that team a better team. Maybe Casemiro has that role at Manchester United, so maybe they don’t need him.
“But it would definitely make Arsenal a better team. I hate to say it but they are pretty good this season and I don’t want Declan to go there because it will make them a better team.
“He can join any team.”
On West Ham having to cash in on Rice, Sheringham added: “I think you have to.
“For a club like West Ham, if you think about keeping him for another season and you don’t get anything for him, to get something like £60 to £80 million… I’d put it around that figure. “If he had a three-year deal you’d probably have to pay £120m to get him released, but he hasn’t.
“He stayed with West Ham, he was very loyal, but I think this summer is probably when they’re going to want to cash in and get that £70million for him so they can help bring in other players.”
Do you think that Declan Rice at Arsenal will be a good choice for the team? Leave your comments…
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Wayne Rooney to coach MLS All-Star squad against Arsenal this summer
It is no news by now to know that Wayne Rooney is to coach MLS All-Star squad against Arsenal this summer as Manchester United legend says exhibition match will be a ‘personal highlight’
Wayne Rooney will take charge of an MLS All-Stars squad to take on Arsenal in Washington DC this summer.
Rooney is currently the head coach at D.C. United, where he was a player between 2018 and 2019.
Rooney will be in charge of an MLS All-Star squad to take on Arsenal this summer.
Rooney – who has played and managed in MLS – sees the opportunity to lead the all-star team as a personal “highlight”.
“I’ve had a front row seat to see the growth and development of Major League Soccer, first as a player and now as a coach,” Rooney said.
“The chance to lead the best our league has to offer, against a top Premier League club like Arsenal, will be a personal highlight for me and an unforgettable experience for our passionate fans here at DC.”
Rooney will be in familiar surroundings for the clash as DC United play their home games at Audi Field. DC United are currently 11th in the Eastern Conference after their first four games.
Arsenal are hoping to go to the US as Premier League champions this summer.
The Gunners are eight points clear of Manchester City with ten games to play.
Do you think the presence of Wayne Rooney as coach will do them great boost? Leave your comments…
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Mikel Arteta quickly removed dressing room“madness” ex-Arsenal star confirmed it
The Arsenal manager has molded the Gunners into a well-oiled machine, but that process hasn’t been easy and has led to Mikel Arteta exiling a number of top-flight talent.
Former Arsenal star Lucas Torreira once called the Gunners dressing room ‘madness’, although Mikel Arteta assured that was not the case these days.
Torreira was brought to the Emirates by then-boss Unai Emery in 2018, but after a bright start to life in north London, the Uruguay international’s form has taken a hit due to reports of homesickness and the desire to leave the Emirates. After being loaned out to Atletico Madrid and Fiorentina, Torreira’s final exit was confirmed last summer when he joined Galatasaray on a permanent basis.
Shortly before his departure, Torreira opened up about his time at the Gunners in an open letter published by Italian outlet Cronache Di Spogliatoio. In the letter, he talked about what it’s like to share a dressing room with Mesut Özil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette. “Every time I go to the national team, I try to make the most of my proximity to certain champions,” wrote Torreira.
“I was lucky enough to meet many of them. At Arsenal in my first year I didn’t speak English, but some in the team did speak Italian, like Sokratis, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.”
“Mesut Özil and Alexandre Lacazette sat next to me in the dressing room. Crazy. You can imagine: me drinking mate and her next to me”.
Well, almost exactly one year later, all three of the aforementioned trio left the club. Two had already been suspended when Torreira’s letter was written to Ozil and Aubameyang, although Lacazette was not behind when he parted ways with Arsenal last summer.
The outings mark a stark shift in strategy from Arteta, who has apparently been trying to rid the Gunners’ locker room of two or three big stars and the kind of egos that go with them.
Replaced instead by a group of talented players who have all adopted the vision of the Spaniard.
It’s a plan that has worked perfectly so far with Arsenal now looking like a different beast to the struggling side they’ve been with for so long during Torreira’s time at the club. The Gunners are currently five points clear at the top of the Premier League and with reigning champions Manchester City breathing down their necks, Arsenal’s improvement under Arteta cannot be ignored.
Most Emirates loyalists would say that Arteta busting out Torreira’s favorite trio of teammates would be one of the key factors behind Arsenal’s rise.
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