Levante are going to the Europa league after a good season. I hope Pedro Botelho will stay with them 1 more season to experience playing in the european stage
Joel Campbell played 81 minutes against Marseille the other day in a crucial game to stay away from the relegation zone. He helped them win 2-1, fairly earning a penalty and looking dangerous throughout. He's also not scared of physical defending, which bodes well for transitioning to English footy. His highlights are here:
He's a real sharp prospect too, he improved a lot this season and he will be a good addition to our squad. His development will be fun to watch like ryo
I'd be curious to hear some opinions and debate on Ozyakup. His touch, distribution, and positioning have been masterful this year for the reserves. I suspect that next season is a really important one for Ramsey because Ozyakup is hot on his tail for time at ACM. For Ozzie next year I expect 1/2 season with arsenal starting in CC games and then a spring loan to an EPL team. If he really hits the weights this summer then maybe he could even stick around arsenal all year. He needs to improve his strength and tenacity but he has vision and passing ability in excess combined with an impressive work rate. Me gusta
He's looks good in the highlights I've seen but it's hard to tell when you don't see full games. Think a loan spell would be good and help us see how developed he is
Gnabry and Ozyakup have been the youth/reserves players of the year, IMO. Gnabry is just a young pup so he needs time, although he has tremendous lower body strength which might mean that he'll be physically ready for the big time sooner than some others. I really like his style though. He's very direct (always looking to be dangerous) but he also always has his head up and is a willing passer. He's fun to watch. Thanks for posting
The nextgen series will be a big stepping stone for our young gunners (and also for other great youngsters out there). Another way to help improve progression to the young ones.
Pedro Botelho is a very interesting prospect. Are there some La Liga fans that have thoughts on him? He has quietly had an impressive spring on loan at Levante, who have had a good year (currently 5th). He can play LB or left wing. I think he is at his best at left mid in a 442 formation, which likely means his future is elsewhere. That being said, he actually plays a little like Gibbs. I'll be interested to see if he and Campbell are awarded work permits this summer. I've been impressed with Botelho's progress and we don't really have a LB prospect close to the first team. His future is probably in Spain though, as we have super-utility man Coquelin to back-up Gibbs and Santos
Bothelo made it clear that he wants to play in the EPL with his parent club (AFC). Also he's playing for Rayo now after he barely got time at Levante so yeah
Imo I think bothelo is to similar to Santos and AW was waiting on his WP but then 8-2 happened and Ottewille emerged from our youth ranks too so that leaves Bothelo in a bit of a limbo :$
Actually Pedro was with Rayo Vallecano last fall (2011) and then was caught drunk driving in Madrid which ended his loan spell there. Levante agreed to take him on loan this spring (2012) and he has been used there now to some good effect (that penalty he conceded against Barca was a bad call). Apparently he's done really well in training with them and has been used by them in some very important games. I've seen him play a few times for Levante and he has definitely improved. He's a bit of a flier. Feisty with skills, a decent passer but very, very one-footed
I saw him playing against sevilla on the weekend. He looked good offensively and defensively too, but i'd love to see his talent displayed in the EPL. He has the right build and he would be a good understudy for Gibbs and Santos. I hope he gets promoted to the 1st team squad like coquelin did at the start of this season
Here's a link to game with Lorient and Montpellier (It's in French btw). Campbell's goal was well finished but he can improve much more on his overall game.... His 1st chance was shocking lol
Ozyakup looks the real deal, so composed on the ball and has the ability to make any pass. That looked like a real tough game, glad the boys pulled through. And congrats to Eisfeld, good finish there
Judging form that video below, imo I see him as a half holding mid, and half center mid. In comparison to out first team, I would say its Song/jack wilshere(deep midfield role). Toral is not like rosicky or arteta
Check out where he recieves the ball though, it's usually in the opponent's half.... Plus driving runs with the ball, movement off it.... He'd be like a playmaker in central mid with the license to make forward runs/support the forwards
Plus on the arsenal website it does say he is a ".... Left-footed creative midfielder who likes to play just off the strikers", and that he ".... Also has an eye for goal and his late runs into the penalty area see him on the scoresheet regularly". Timmy cahill?
You can't tell yet exactly how a player his age will develop and Arsenal likes for their youngsters to have versatility so that they aren't pigeon-holed to a single role. He's definitely a skilled, creative player but he's also more feisty in the tackle than Fabregas was. Box2box? ACM? Yes, he does both. And no, he's nothing like Tim Cahill.
What does :3 mean? Is it a symbol that shows how pleased you are with yourself? Hmmm, maybe it's a cat face