Wilshere began in October 2001, and Aneke and Afobe joined us earlier that year in May. These guys have ‘Arsenal DNA’ running through them and Jack himself has been hugely praising of both Afobe and Aneke.
On returning from injury, he helped Steve Bould’s Youth team win the F.A Youth Cup. In December, Aneke, assisted by Afobe, returning from Huddersfield for the tie against Darlington, scored a superb hat-trick himself and assisted in the other 3 goals in a 6-1 win. Bould was asked after the match if he would like to have played against the Afobe and Aneke combination? He replied:
‘I don’t think so. If there are two better players in the country you’re going to have to go a hell of a long way to find them.’
So praise indeed from Arsenal Legend Stevie Bould and Chuks, along with the young Dutchman Ozyakup and Benik, have all been rewarded with new long-term deals from Wenger in June.
Chuks models himself on Patrick Vieira. Not so much in style, as he is far more attack minded, but in attitude, desire and in winning mentality. In October 2010, after reading Vieira’s autobiography, Aneke was quoted:
‘I look up to him very much. He was the captain of this Club and he won titles. That’s something I aspire to. He was one of my idols as a kid.’
I love the fact that like Wilshire, Fimpong to a lesser degree, the unfortunate Henderson and Afobe, Aneke knows nothing but Arsenal and the Arsenal way. He is a London boy. He has been with us since he was nine years old and his only desire in football is to succeed with Arsenal.
So I am not sure if you feel a Carling Cup run or a second half of the season loan will be best for Aneke to gain first-team experience, but this boy has it all and truly could star for us in years to come. For me, a loan to the Championship after Christmas, when he has played a couple of Carling Cup games for us, sounds perfect.
Perhaps we may see him against Shrewsbury for a first-team debut. Here’s hoping.
Like what you read? Then follow me on Twitter – http://twitter.com/daveseager66
Visit and Join our Facebook page, click HERE to do so.
Gunnersphere is currently looking for new writers to join the squad. Contact via twitter or at Gunnersphere@snack-media.com for further details.
i do agree with you that aneke and afobe,are players that look like great preospects at arsenal.
but can i please ask you and all media reporters, not to put pressure on these youngsters, with saying like aneke is the next vieria ,just like bentley was the new bergkemp, jay thomas was going be the next henry, along with bendtner who was the next ian wright i once read in the sun years ago.
it not right to say young players are the next pele or next messi, i feel it puts more unneccerey (sorry for mis spelling)pressure on the youngsters, why can’t we just say this player is one to watch out for, a player with his own style and skills.
but these players do look good,and i pertically like that aneke is a tall strong player like frimpong(who i think is going to be awesome for arsenal, shame he chose chana over england),and miguel i think could be a brilliant player in time but!! i can’t help thinking he be back in spain before we see the best of him.
good luck tomorrow arsenal come on lets have it!!
chucks aneke has the physic of patrick vieira and the skill of dennis bergkamp. hopefully we will see him in the carling cup.
another great kid is kyle ebicilio. unfortunately the old traford tragedy destroyed the plan wenger had for this season. we really won’t see them in the first team this season.
aneke has a strong engine like viera,where is freeman?..
yep… out of all the players to come through arsenals youth system he excites me the most, and dare i say it that includes Jack. His potential is MASSIVE.