Lately, Arsenal’s youth system has been overshadowed by other sides. A team that was seen showcasing their youngsters and being unafraid on the pitch under the tutelage of Arsène Wenger has, as it seems to be, lost that element of grooming youngsters in a befitting manner. In the current setup, Alex Iwobi and Héctor Bellerín are the only two talents who deserve a notable recognition which gives a clear picture of the status the Gunners find themselves in.
The North London outfit, however, has invested tremendously in this aspect and despite not have become household names, the likes of Chuba Akpom, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Gedion Zelalem and Jeff Reine-Adelaide have been in the vicinity of Arsenal’s team sheet. But wait! Did we just miss naming the youngster who has been dubbed as the “next Jack Wilshere”?
Daniel Crowley, a riveting appreciable asset to be fondly spoken of in the ranks of in Arsenal’s youth system, is the one many have set their eyes on. Signed from Aston Villa in 2013, the starlet is hugely promising, to say the least. The 19-year-old is predominantly a central midfielder, though he has the versatility to ply his trade even on the flanks or in the no. 10 slot as well.
A genuine leader on the pitch, Crowley is a sharp passer, swift mover and an excellent dribbler, which is why he was lured to the Emirates Stadium and is compared to Jack Wilshere (thankfully, the similarity wasn’t based on the injury concerns).
Despite highlighting his merits, not mentioning his loopholes would mean not giving a clear picture of the Coventry-born midfielder to the unacquainted ones. He had an unsuccessful loan spell to Barnsley last season where he appeared merely 13 times, bagging a goal and an assist in the process. He was severely criticized on a variety of grounds, such as his under working attitude, frailties in terms of fetching considerable physicality, selfishness on many occasions and they compiled together to ensure that he burned out before he actually started displaying his intriguing aura at Barnsley. He was shipped back early as he failed to fit in with the Tykes, which is a pretty curious case in itself.
Failure to impose himself as a successful candidate from the loan spell, it was obvious that he was to be sent on loan once again. Oxford United came running for the youngster and frankly speaking, he is re-establishing himself as well as his ratings, for good, once again. 2 goals in 5 league appearances, his natural instincts of cutting inside from the wings and having a go, resolute composure in the middle of the park, a commendable vision and the knack to deliver killer passes are making him being a prospective candidate for Arsenal (hang on, it should go on for the remainder of the season!).
Crowley is earmarked by Arsenal as a potential member of the Arsenal squad in the near future, considering the fact that his qualities do match the way Arsenal play and also the fact that the youngster has the requisite pace to be deployed and be fruitful in the top tier of English football. However, we have seen Chuba Akpom fogging his chances and we have also seen Alex Iwobi stepping up and making himself count.
Under Michael Appleton, Crowley can demonstrate himself in a much better manner and arguably, it is his best chance to wave a goodbye to the doldrums he found himself in after the loan spell to Barnsley.
The Arsenal faithful are hoping for a huge positive overhaul for the youngster, but another sub-par loan will undoubtedly leave a dent on the future prospects of Dan Crowley. It is about time he proves that the hype he receives is worth talking about (no, not as a deplorable or a laughable subject).
