If there’s a club in England you’d expect to be able to create a great under-21 side, it’s Arsenal.
The Gunners hand-pluck the best youngsters not only from London, but from around the world, and have some of the best facilities and staff to help them reach their potential.
It is a big part of the reason that Wenger has been able to call on homegrown talent in the past such as Cesc Fabregas, Ashley Cole and, in more recent times, Jack Wilshere and Alex Iwobi.
Couple that with the Gunners commitment to attacking, technical football and you have the makings of a great five-a-side team.
The only problem is there would be so much competition for just five places, just as there is to get a place in the Gunners’ first team squad.
We here in the Transfer Tavern have managed to narrow it down to FIVE players under the age of 21, who would make it into a five-a-side team…..
GK – MATT MACEY
Standing at two metres tall, under-21 goalkeeper Matt Macey would be able to fill a five-a-side goal with no effort.
Macey is no stranger to pressure having been part of a successful Bristol Rovers under-18’s side, and making 15 appearances for the Gunners under-21’s side including a play-off final victory over Aston Villa.
The 22-year-old only had his birthday in September and would therefore qualify for an under-21 team.
DEF – KRYSTIAN BIELIK
The man in defence and the captain of the team, Krystian Bielik would be the man in charge of rallying the troops.
The 18-year-old is used to play in the centre of the midfield and would therefore be comfortable passing the ball or bringing play out of defence.
The Gunners will possibly have to look for a replacement in their five-man team however, with Arsene Wenger keen to loan his defender out for experience.
MID – JEFF REINE-ADELAIDE
Adding a little craft to the midfield is Jeff Reine-Adelaide.
The 18-year-old has been touted as one of the best technical talents in the Gunners’ ranks.
The Frenchman would also do a job all over the pitch as he is comfortable on either side and capable of playing up front as well as in midfield.
Reine-Adelaide had Gunners fans at the Tavern waxing lyrical after his performance against Wolfsburg at the Emirates Cup where he set up Theo Walcott.
MID – ALEX IWOBI
It almost feels like cheating having Alex Iwobi in the side as he is currently playing for the first-team.
The Nigerian has been a regular this season, appearing in five games and notching three assists.
The fact he also made thirteen appearances last season makes it hard to forget Iwobi is still only 20-years-old.
We’re confident he would be an asset to any five-a-side team with his direct dribbling and pace – just don’t rely on him for any defensive work…
ST – CHUBA AKPOM
Playing up front in five-a-side requires you to be strong, physical and have to stamina to run for the entire game.
Luckily these are all things Chuba Akpom has in abundance, demonstrated by his time on loan at Hull City in the Championship last season.
Who knows? Perhaps learning to aim at the smaller target of a five-a-side goal will also help the 20-year-old improve his accuracy and beat his best tally of three goals in a league season.
