Is Jeff ready for first team football?
Remember the name Jeff Reine-Adelaide because although I’m sure you’re already more than aware of one of the youth team’s most promising talents, there’s a big chance that he will go on to big things at Arsenal.
Arsenal signed Jeff from French side Lens in 2015, for him to originally link up with Arsenal youth team. In the youth side, Jeff would continue to develop and add the specific traits to his game, that’ll make him a fantastic player for the Gunners in the future. Only a year on and Jeff’s name is already getting mentioned on first team sheets, with the player recently a part of the Premier League squads against both Burnley and Middlesborough. Jeff may not have featured in those matches, but the fact that he is there on the bench, rather than at Under 21 games, shows at least that Arsene Wenger has confidence in the young player, should he be called upon.
Reine-Adelaide had another deserved chance to show us his talents, in this evening’s EFL Cup match against Reading FC. The Frenchman lasted 66 minutes on the pitch before he was replaced. I must admit he was guilty at overplaying a little bit, perhaps because of first team nerves and his intentions to impress us all. Instead he should’ve perhaps released the ball at an earlier opportunity. However his decision making will grow with confidence and more regular playing time. I thought besides that he looked bright, energetic and he was a creative spark on the pitch on more than one occasion.
Arsene Wenger spoke before tonight’s match on how he now believes that Reine-Adelaide is ready to step up to the first team on a more regular basis, with potentially more appearances to be made this season. Based upon tonight’s performance I’d say that he should certainly get another shot, much like Iwobi was gradually eased at the same stage last season.
Wenger said: “My belief is that Jeff is ready to play because he has it all in his locker – the strength, the physical power, the technical level. He has to add efficiency to his game – that will come with games as well – but he will have an opportunity to show that I am right about him. And part of a career is to grab your opportunity when you get it. So for Jeff, tonight could be an important night, but I am confident he will do well.”
Tonight’s performance will go a long way for Jeff, because the EFL Cup this season is his real chance to show the boss and the fans what he is capable of. Arsene Wenger and Arsenal Football Club really do believe in Jeff’s talents and will certainly give him the opportunities he needs, in order to break into the first team squad.
In terms of beyond tonight’s fixture, although I think it will be hard for Jeff to break into the Arsenal starting eleven, especially as Mesut Ozil plays in the Frenchman’s preferred position of attacking midfield, there is no doubt that he may begin to make a few more substitute appearances. Competition is already high in the middle of the park, with six first team midfielders already fighting for a slot. To add Jeff to that conundrum in midfield, it’s not going to be easy for Arsene Wenger, however if anything I think it spells more bad news to the likes of Wilshere, rather than to Reine Adelaide.
Will Reine-Adelaide be the next youngster to follow Bellerin and Iwobi out of the Arsenal youth set up?
By AH
I think he should only get a run in the EFL and some FA games this season, or the final group match in the champions league (i.e if we are at top at the time).
JRA is the guy to break through this season like Iwobi did last season. He will make us forget the loss of Gnabry. I also think Campbell will be sold.
But the one that stood out for me was Maitland Niles. He impressed me a lot with his pressing winning the ball back and was not afraid to shoot.
Chris Willock is in my opinion still a bit off joining the first team, maybe next season.
I don’t think any of them were that impressive, but then they are not so used to playing together. It was a disjointed game and if Martinez wasn’t brilliant it could have turned out badly. But its early days and maybe they can improve.I thought Lucas tried hard.
I think he is a very talented Youngster. But he needs to keep it simple and look for where his team mates are. Plus, learn the defensive side of the game…
No, I dont think he is. He didn’t look as comfortable out on the left as he did behind Lucas against Forrest. Both goals came from the right as well as a hatful of other chances (not the left). He is likely to be winded or injured by robust challenges and there were a few from Reading last night. He has the talent and silky skills but the end product isn’t quite there yet. Just ask Ox about end product…
i have to say arsene wenger&the club should be commended for the way they look after our young guns ,slowly easing them towards playing for the first team which shows the potential/quality these players have but also for sticking with players like theo,the ox… whom a lot fans wanted sold!i don,t know about you but i think the future looks bright for us, COYG!!
I think he has an easier time of breaking into the team than Zalalem. Zelalem I thought would be a sure thing when I heard everything about him. I’m not so sure now, we are realising that power as well as flair is needed in midfield, this lad looks to maybe have the necessary flair in the future but I’m not sure if he’ll have the bite to go with his bark. Adelaide looks very very promising. Although Walcott Iwobi look good, they are no Alexis Sanchez. If this lad becomes one of Wengers French masterstrokes, Wenger knows French players. I think we’ll see allot of Jeff over the next two seasons.
I also thought Zalalem was going to be the big future star. But he’s physically so small which doesn’t help-
Maybe better suited to Spanish league?
Our first team as it stands has a lot of depth — what will be interesting is who of the youngsters gets loaned out next season, and where they go. I don’t think we’ll get to the point of having 30 or more players on loan like Chelski, but I could see us having a dozen players loaned out next year.
And obviously, if they all play well we’ll have to sell some of them, because there are more of them than players aging out of the league. Mertesacker looks like the only one who should be gone in the next two seasons, all the others seem to have that much left in the tank.