Young Guns: Ben Glasgow

BIOGRAPHY

Second Year Scholar
Born: 24/10/1993
Position: Defender
Height: 5ft 10in
Weight: 10st 4lbs

By Lambros Lambrou

With the curse of the full backs diminishing the numbers available to Arsène Wenger in 2011/12, right back Ben Glasgow senses opportunities opening early for Arsenal’s younger contingent.

Ignasi Miquel, Francis Coquelin and Nico Yennaris have all featured in and around the first-team line-up, and the youngster feels that it could lead to more attention being placed on other players emerging from the Academy.

“It’s just pure bad luck, what is happening to the full backs in the first team squad,” states the 18-year-old. “It just goes like that sometimes. I remember a couple of seasons back we were losing centre backs. Hopefully we will be back to full strength soon. I do sense though that players coming through the youth ranks have opportunities to shine – and not just the guys who have stepped up into the first-team.

"Because of the injuries, players from the Reserves are being drafted in to train with the first-team, which gives them priceless opportunities to learn in that environment and show what they can do. There is a lot of talent in the Reserves and youth and although we all are wishing for the likes of Bacary Sagna, Kieran Gibbs, Andre Santos and Carl Jenkinson to get fit quickly, the unfortunate series of injuries to full backs has meant opportunities have come earlier for some of the younger guys.”

Ben knows all too well about the disappointment of injury, having missed most of his first year as a Scholar due to a stress fracture of the lower back. He is now fully fit and playing regularly in the Under-18s, looking to impress.

“I am now 100 per cent, but it was tough getting back,” he admits. “I came in over the summer for a few weeks but pre-season was still a struggle because I had been out so long. I am usually one of the better runners but I was well short of where I wanted to be and started the season playing catch-up, but by October I was feeling good and my performances in matches and in training are showing that.

“Because I lost so much of last season, now that I am fit I feel so focused on getting the most out of every game and training session. I know I need to do well to secure a pro’ contract in less time than what is normal, and I suppose the experience I got when I played for the Under-18s quite a lot as a schoolboy has helped. The lack of time has been a factor on my mind and hopefully what I have shown in the time since I have been back is that I have the qualities needed to progress.”

One thing that has been clear is that Ben seems to have added another yard of pace to his game, which is remarkable given that he was the Essex Schools 100m Champion just a couple of years back. “I ran the 100m then at just over 11 seconds, but I am definitely faster now,” he says. “In terms of speed, I think that the fastest player in the youth ranks is between me and Nigel Neita. We have sprint trials and he beats me half the time while I beat him for the other half.

"Having pace is important for strikers like Nigel, but as a full back I find it so useful both in attack and defence. I can get into position quickly and use my pace against quick wingers without having to depend on physical strength. I play on the wing for Republic Ireland, but I enjoy right back more because I get involved in attack and defence.”

Thierry Henry's return has been global news, but Ben feels that the whole Club benefitted from his presence and not just the Arsenal legend’s ability to score goals. “It is so obvious that he gives everyone a lift,” he said. “He has time for everyone. I was using the jacuzzi the other day and he stopped to have a chat to see how I was getting on, which was nice. He has a presence that everyone in the squad is benefitting from."

Then...

Teams you played for before Arsenal?
Grays Athletic, Essex and Thurrock

Best football moment before joining Arsenal?
Winning my local cup

Team supported growing up?
Arsenal

Pretended to be in the playground?
Dani Alves

Other sports that you’re good at?
Athletics

Who’s been the most influential on your career so far?
My parents

Other clubs interested before you joined Arsenal?
Tottenham, Charlton and Chelsea

Now…

Favourite item of clothing?
My Boss tracksuit

Dream car?
A Bugatti Veyron

Best thing about being part of the Academy?
Getting to train every day

Three words to describe you as a player...
Fast, reckless, athletic

Three words to describe you as a person...
Kind, generous, humble

Three people you follow on Twitter...
Ronaldo, Kim Kardashian, Drake

Most talented team-mate?
James Campbell

[Thursday, February 16, 2012]

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