Bould - Kids can break into the first-team

By Chris Harris

Steve Bould insists there is "no reason" why some of Arsenal's all-conquering youngsters can't break into Arsène Wenger's senior side.

The Frenchman's transfer-market moves will be the centre of attention this summer but he has always supplemented his squad with players who have emerged through the ranks at Emirates Stadium. Kieran Gibbs is the latest to make the step up from youth team to first team, turning out against Manchester United in the Champions League just two years after facing those same opponents in the Youth Cup.

Wenger has more reason than ever to dip into the Club's pool of youth talent after watching Bould's boys win the Academy title and dismantle Liverpool in the Youth Cup Final. The Under-18s manager acknowledges that only the very best will make it at Arsenal but he has seen enough to suggest that the current crop have what it takes.

"We won't know how good they can be until they are thrown in the first team," Bould told Arsenal.com. "But they have certainly got talent - there is lots and lots of talent here. Whether they've got the character you never know until you throw them in at the deep end but we hope that is the next stage for them.

"It's probably not realistic to expect four or five players to break into the first team on a regular basis. It's difficult but there's no reason why one, two or three can't go on. Kieran Gibbs is in there at the moment so anything over and above one or two players is a massive bonus and that's what we're striving for because it's a world-class level.

"We keep saying we've got good kids all through the system at the minute. Every age group has got two or three dotted about who we hope can be at least as good as the level we've seen this year and maybe better. So I think the future's quite bright."

Bould completed a rare ‘double’ last month when he managed the Under-18s to Youth Cup glory at Anfield exactly two decades after winning the League at the same ground as a player. George Graham's class of '89 was blessed with talent and an admirable team spirit. Twenty years on, Bould can see similarities with the players he has been coaching.

"You would hope there are similarities there," said Bould. "In the '89 team we had Paul Merson, David Rocastle, Michael Thomas, Tony Adams, Martin Hayes, Niall Quinn was involved in the squad I think as well.

"They were all young kids at the Club and we hope we've got another crop that is going to come through."

[Thursday, June 11, 2009]

Print this page Email to a friend