Arsenal's policy of blooding their youngsters in the Carling Cup worked very much in the favour of Oguzhan Ozyakup this season.
The young midfielder was rewarded for a string of classy displays for the Reserves with a first-team debut against Shrewsbury in the Carling Cup, during which he grabbed his first assist for the Club.
Oguzhan was handed his second outing in the fourth-round win over Bolton at Emirates Stadium as a second-half substitute and was part of the young squad to travel to Olympiacos in the Champions League.
The 19-year-old was a consistent stand-out performer for Neil Banfield's second string, leading by example with a host of dominant performances in midfield. He claimed five goals along the way, while also committing his international future to Turkey after featuring for Holland at youth level.
SOUNDBITE
“If you smell it, you want more and more and more. Once you have been there you want it every time. I am really happy with the way things are progressing at Arsenal. I have been involved with the first team a few times, training with them too, and things are good."
FINEST MOMENT
Replacing Emmanuel Frimpong as a second-half substitute for his first-team debut against Shrewsbury in September, Oguzhan announced his arrival with a neat assist for Yossi Benayoun just two minutes later.
| Appearances | Goals | |
| Carling Cup | +2 | - |
| Premier Reserve League | 19 | 5 |
| Total | 19+2 | 5 |
