Arsenal is a team that always had a tradition of playing youngsters and make them into world-class players. The likes of Robin van Persie, Cesc Fabregas are the perfect examples of what Arsenal is made of. Arsenal’s legendary manager Arsene Wenger once described his young squad in 2008 as his best bunch of youngsters that he ever managed. In that season, Wenger’s young guns defeated Sheffield United 6-0 in a Carling Cup tie. Let’s check where they are playing nowadays.
CHAMPIONS OF ARSENAL-
FRANCIS COQUELIN
The French International midfielder joined the gunner’s academy in 2008 as a 16-year-old kid. He then went on to win two FA Cups for Arsenal during his time at the Emirates. Mainly a defensive midfielder, Coquelin went to several loan periods after joining Arsenal. Being at Lorient, Freiburg, and Charlton Atletic helped him grow as a midfielder who made 160 appearances for Arsenal before moving to Valencia where he is a regular presence in the first XI.
AARON RAMSEY
Ramsey joined Juventus last summer on a free transfer, which did not go down well with the Arsenal fans. He has made a total of 24 appearances till now for the Italian champions that are managed by Maurizio Sarri. At Arsenal, he was a star for them and represented the red and white shirt 369 times.
In the summer of 2008, Wenger bought Ramsey from Cardiff and we all know what a superstar he has been for them. Unfortunately, he could not retire at the Emirates as a club legend. However, he gave his all for the club and the Arsenal faithful and will always be a hero to them.
JACK WILSHERE
He arrived at Arsenal in 2001 and 10 years later in 2011, he became PFA Young Player of the Year and Arsenal’s Player of the Year. Injuries stopped his progress since then and later he departed his boyhood club to join rivals West Ham United in 2018. Wilshere won two FA Cups and made only 197 appearances during his long tenure at the Emirates. For the Irons, he has played only 16 matches and slowly he is becoming a forgotten man.
KIERAN GIBBS
Once a promised full back at a top club, The 30-year-old Englishman now plays in the Championship for West Brom. He joined the Gunners in 2004 and won two FA Cups after making 230 appearances. West Bromwich Albion is a club that is expected to be back in the top flight of English football. However, Gibbs is mostly a bench player for them and made only five appearances for the Baggies this season.
CARLOS VELA
The 31-year-old Mexican left his country to play football at Arsenal where he joined in 2005. He played for Salamanca, Osasuna, West Brom and Real Sociedad on loan and finally joined Sociedad permanently in 2012, In his 62 appearances, Vela did not win anything for the Gunners. Currently, he is in his third season in the MLS after making his name in Spain with 73 goals in 250 appearances. In the USA he is regarded as one of the best players in the country and has scored 57 times in just 71 matches for Los Angeles.
YES, THE GUNNERS MISS THEM
Yes, Arsenal does indeed miss some of these talents, who have given so much for the club. The likes of Ramsey and Wilshere have been irreplaceable at times. They were Wenger’s home-grown talents and gave everything for the club we all love.
