The Talent Scout on... Arsenal youngster Benik Afobe
In the latest installment of his new series on the game's hottest talents, Jamie Sanderson runs the rule over Arsenal youngster Benik Afobe.
***
Lost amid the boos and frustrations of Arsenal's 1-1 draw with the New York Red Bulls yesterday, Arsene Wenger rolled out the latest graduate from his never-ending production line of talent.
The Gunners may have lost out on the Emirates Cup, but their fans did get to see 67 minutes of Benik Afobe, an 18-year-old striker with much promise.
Such is his talent, Wenger withdrew him from the England Under-20 squad currently in action in Colombia to take a closer look. A brief substitute appearance against FC Cologne looked to be all Benik would get, but after replacing Jack Wilshere after just seven minutes yesterday it was clear why he's held in such high regard.
London-born Afobe began supporting Arsenal aged six, and by eight, he was a part of the club's famed Hale End academy system. For the Gunners' Under-16 team, he scored 40 goals in just 33 appearances as a 15-year-old, and played his part in back-to-back Premier Academy League successes and an FA Youth Cup win.
Benik has also achieved on the international scene, winning the Victory Shield in 2008 before securing the Under-17 European Championship with England last summer. However, it was a promising loan spell with League One promotion hopefuls Huddersfield Town last season where he really showed his worth, scoring eight goals in 32 games, but also claiming 10 assists.
He returned to North London this summer, at a time when first-team places are up for grabs. Afobe's excellent performance against the Red Bulls typified what the youngster is all about, and showed exactly why he can succeed where others have failed.
A powerful, instinctive striker who loves to be in and around the box, Benik was asked to play in an unfamiliar wing role, but displayed his usual blend of pace, power and skill, while also injecting an enthusiastic approach to working hard off the ball. It was an accomplished home debut.
Gooners may have seen many promising kids come through the system in recent years, but few have the talent to attitude ratio that Afobe has, something Barcelona picked up on when they tried to sign him before his 17th birthday.
Whether Wenger has seen enough to reward Benik with a first-team place this season remains to be seen, but 18-year-old Benik Afobe is a name worth remembering.
--------------
Follow Jamie Sanderson on Twitter @YoungGunsBlog and at jamiesanderson.com
Column
Crass of the Day: Why Gary Lineker should be ashamed of his xenophobic mocking of Arsene Wenger
Columnists 11:07 03/05/12Shame on Gary Lineker. His mockery, stupid French accent and derision of Arsene Wenger at the end of... Read More+
Column
Stop rewriting history: Hodgson may have got it, but Redknapp is still the better man for the job
Darren Lewis 10:45 03/05/12The revisionism surrounding Harry Redknapp this week has been an education to behold. Suddenly his f... Read More+
Column
Big Match Verdict on Chelsea 0-2 Newcastle: Torres has been transformed in a week
John Cross 22:27 02/05/12Fernando Torres has been transformed in little over a week. In fact, the Spaniard was the odd man ou... Read More+
