Breaking Down Youth Players on the Asia Tour

By Billy Rodgers

            As most Arsenal fans know, this year’s tour of Indonesia, Vietnam, and Japan are a great way for young players to get some first team action and leave a lasting impression on the first team coaching staff. Players like Gedion Zelalem, Thomas Eisfeld, Serge Gnabry, and Chuba Akpom were included in the squad that traveled to Asia this summer. After all 4 games, these 4 youngsters have fit superbly into the squad and turned in great performances.

          Preseason is always a way for youngsters to show off what they’ve got and prove they deserve a chance in the first team, come August 17^th, Arsenal’s first match at home to Aston Villa. For other players the Asia Tour is their only chance to impress in the first team before going back down to play for the Arsenal Reserves or the Arsenal U18’s. These 4 players have all played considerable minutes so far and greatly influenced the 4 matches in preseason so far. Below is a breakdown of each player’s contributions on the Arsenal Asia Tour so far!

 

Chuba Akpom: One of the most promising British talents at Arsenal right now, Chuba Akpom has netted an impressive 4 goals in 4 matches. Chuba scored once against Indonesia from a cross provided by Serge Gnabry, which Akpom coolly dispatched home. He went on to score 2 goals in Arsenal’s match against Vietnam. His first came off a lovely chipped through ball from Aaron Ramsey, which he cut back with his left foot and then calmly tucked it into the far post past the goalkeeper’s out-stretched hands. His second was set up from a pass across goal by the Ox who had been given a delightful through ball from Zelalem. He almost scored a third when he had a curling effort that was going in, blocked on the 6 by an opposing defender. In the last preseason friendly against Urawa Red Diamonds, Chuba went on to score the winner off a goalkeeping mistake. Most impressive these 4 games have been his movement and his ability to create chances. His runs are explosive and he knows when to play simple or when to go for goal. At only 17 Chuba is definitely one for the future.

Watch Chuba Akpom vs. Vietnam:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmOg4wjIxkU

Watch Chuba Akpom’s Goal vs. Indonesia:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvN0n0cNHuk

Watch Chuba Akpom’s Goal vs. Urawa Red Diamonds:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-uy75VLX5A

 

Gedion Zelalem: Take one look at the way this kid plays and you would never guess, German, Gedion Zelalem is only 16 years old. Before this preseason not many Arsenal fans knew who he was but this could be his breakthrough. Don’t expect to see Zelalem in many games at all this season as he is only 16 but he could have a breakout season in any of the next few years. Right now, Zelalem has to focus on his performance for the Arsenal Reserves so that he has a shot at maybe playing in the league cup or an early round match of the FA Cup. So far on the Asia Tour Zelalem’s passing has been the most impressive. His through balls, first to the Ox to set up a Chuba Akpom goal, and then a through ball to Theo Walcott to set up his goal. His vision is outstanding and he is also a very good dribbler.

Watch Zelalem vs. Vietnam:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLAVhL43Tlo

 Watch Zelalem vs. Indonesia:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UCgp_lzZr8

Watch Zelalem vs. Nagoya Grampus:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTU24nig-Hw

 

Thomas Eisfeld: Another outstanding German talent in Arsenal’s youth system, Thomas Eisfeld is a crafty attacking midfielder, bought from Borussia Dortmund in 2012. Eisfeld his known for his technical ability, and is a great playmaker. Eisfeld made his professional debut in Arsenal’s dramatic 7-5 win over Reading. Eisfeld played a role in Arsenal’s Asia tour last year, so it is his second year on tour with the first team. Eisfeld has scored 1 goal on the tour and has played in both Arsenals friendlies against Indonesia and Vietnam. The goal he scored was a delightful goal which he smashed home off the crossbar. Thomas Rosicky played a lobbed ball to Giroud which was headed down to Eisfeld and he finished high off the crossbar. The Asia Tour is a big deal this year for Eisfeld, not just to try to break into the first team, but also because he is able to play alongside his hero, Thomas Rosicky himself. Eisfeld tweeted a picture of him and Rosicky together after his goal and captioned the picture “Dreams come true..!”

Watch Thomas Eisfeld’s Goal vs. Indonesia:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOQ1EBdZ1_0

 

Serge Gnabry: The third, very promising young German talent at Arsenal, Serge Gnabry, has blazing pace and great skills to match that. At only 18, Serge Gnabry has already made his professional debut in the League Cup and the Champions League as well. Gnabry impressed in his short time on against Schalke, using a scoop turn to easily beat a defender. (Watch below) He also went on the Asia Tour in 2012 and got a small amount of playing time. This year on tour, Serge Gnabry has been exceptional as well. His blistering pace and quick movement of the ball has allowed him to succeed in these preseason games so far. On his birthday Gnabry assisted Chuba Akpom on a low cross that Akpom tapped home. This year could be an important year for Gnabry as he will most likely get even more first team chances than last year. He will feature in the early stages of the Capital One Cup, possibly the early rounds of the FA Cup, and could maybe play in the EPL if there is a first team injury.

Watch Serge Gnabry’s Scoop Turn vs. Schalke:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPjHCnMom40

Watch Serge Gnabry vs. Vietnam:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ychOP8_gFYo

Watch Serge Gnabry vs. Nagoya Grampus:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP7PrfrNYsA

 

That’s all for now! Thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed!