The impressive number of youth talents coming through at Arsenal continues to dominate the reasons for excitement around the club at the moment. Not only have three Hale End graduates worked their way into the first team squad, but they are becoming a clear part of Mikel Arteta’s plans.
Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith-Rowe and Eddie Nketiah are not only in the senior setup, but their latest contracts saw them take massive numbers of historic value with seven, ten and fourteen. Arsenal are invested in providing a pathway to enable other youth stars that tangible ambition they can see to believe.
However, often with youth sides so broad like Arsenal’s, players can go under the radar especially when injured. This is certainly the case for Cătălin Cîrjan.
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The Romanian youth international had not played for Arsenal for 480 days before he made his return in an under-21s game against Boreham Wood. He replaced Charlie Patino in the second half.
Despite being younger, Patino is the player that has exploited Cîrjan’s situation. Whilst the midfielder has been out, Patino has risen through the ranks and has even made and scored at the senior level with a goal in the Carabao Cup.
The pair are similar in regard to their position, both occupying the central midfield. It is expected that the pair will vie for a place in the starting eleven for the under-21s next season and hope the opportunity comes calling for the senior cup competitions and Europa League group stage too.
Cîrjan will have to accept that Patino is now ahead of him in the pecking order, but this should only give him further motivation to fight back and earn the plaudits once again. football.london understands that Cîrjan remains very highly thought of amongst those in his age group and how he responds during his return to injury will be closely monitored and potentially defining for his future.
Be it Patino or Cîrjan however, the competition for places in midfield for Arsenal is fierce in the senior squad. Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka, Martin Odegaard, Fabio Vieira, Mohamed Elneny, Emile Smith-Rowe, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Lucas Torreira all remain options at present.
Granted plenty could leave, but with links to the likes of Youri Tielemans, there’s the prospect of even more talent coming through the door. But this is the life of a footballer, and you must earn your place in the squad like everyone else.
May the best youngster win. Whilst one may lose, Arsenal win either way.
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