Wenger: I want to keep Frimpong
If you were wondering what is next for Emmanuel Frimpong, it is certainly not a loan move.
The Ghanaian has been one of the stars of Arsenal’s pre-season so far and has drawn much attention in that defensive midfield role. This is Frimpong’s longest ever run in the first team and according to his manager, it may not end here in pre-season.
One advantage about the Premier League’s new squad rule is that players under the age of 21 can be added as bonus members of the 25-man squad and with 18-year-old Frimpong impressing, Wenger may include him next season to supplement his few options in defensive midfield.
Asked whether he will send Frimpong on loan like he normally does with youngsters, Wenger replied:
“No. I want to keep him.”
Wenger also went on to hail the performances of Frimpong and Wilshere in Arsenal’s meeting with AC Milan on Saturday.
“It’s very positive for Arsenal that two 18-year-old players did well in battles against more experienced players. Of course sometimes they have a lack of experience but they both have individual qualities and are fighters. They are not scared of anybody, they put their foot in and really good for it in challenges, in a good way.”
“I think I will keep Wilshere too. He was at Bolton and they wanted to keep him again and I’m sure if I went out looking, I could find clubs. It’s difficult to say how many games he will play because it depends on injuries, which you can’t plan around. Also you don’t want to give a restricted target to a player. He can play wide and in the middle, behind the striker and also deep, which is interesting. He should get a few games.”
The Arsenal boss also made it clear that his choices in playing youngsters are not influenced by the new home-grown player rule.
“I play the players I believe have the quality. We have, not by coincidence but by hard work, a good English generation. Today you did not see Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, who has quality. That is why I play them – because they are good, not because of the rule. I gave Wilshere to Bolton last year and Frimpong played well in pre-season, that is why I played him. It is not linked with the rule. Players like Fabregas, for example, are home-grown.”
Frimpong looks a great understudy to song and u can easily see the difference he made when he was replaced by djourou.I think eastmond would be really upset now and surely he will be out on loan now which is a shame because he was looking set to become the 2nd choice DM.Hopefully frimpong remains a consistent performer when his chances arrive
Frimpong’s improvement is good for ghanian football is well.Here comes their next essien
In Frimpong and Wilshere, Arsenal have future world midfielders.
Frimpong, Ramsey and Wilshere are all in front of denilson in the pecking order in my eyes!
Hopefully both Wilshere and Frimpong will get games in the the up-coming PL season. Arsene should give them both as much playing time in front of our home crowd, particularly when playing the Blackpool’s of this world.
I think the Youth Policy is about to start yielding dividends. Apart from Wilshere, Frimpong and JET, watch out for the following players who should be ready for the first team in the next couple of years: Roarie Deacon, Benik Afobe, Chuckwu Aneke and Francis Conquelin
alabica
Frimpong did not do much wrong today, which is a good sign. He looks much better than Song did at his age, so im very much hoping he can keep improving. I’d like to see him come on for the last 10-15 mins of games where we are 3-0 up and gradualy give him more time, plus getting games in the Carling and FA Cup.
Sorry Eastmond but you got some big competition
hopefully frimpng ramsey and wilshere oust the mediocre song diaby and denilson and gibbs ousts clichy who cannot defend
Holy shit, you’re stupid.
i will make this short and sweet. I LOVE FRIMPONG. never have i seen an 18 year old show so little respect to his elders. he is the heir to makelele. he is an old fashion kick them to the ground style player. and then has the cheek to tell them to get up lol. love him love him love him. goodbye eastmond. goodbye song
Dont say goodbye to song he still is our powerhouse.As i said earlier frimpong is really good but he stills needs to be songs understudy for atleast 3 seasons so that he can learn every possible things from song
he needs to be put on the bench and get like 15/20 mins week in and out. hes better the denilson.
We need healthy competition for every position, and that’s what really lacking in the past few season, and cost us dear when the busy period of season kicks in.
I realised that due to lack of quality cover, players are forced to play out of position, so to good effect, and most far from desirable.
Denilson, Walcott & Diaby has not been performing as well as we would like, but due to their involvement for seasons, their experience is still needed while our even younger generation develop. But hopefully gone are the days of no competition for starting XI. If a player play badly for 2-3 games, should be replaced immediately, till they show drastic improvement in training & reserve.
Still, we need a quality goalie. If Frey is willing to come, go get him, and our defensive record should improve immediately.
wenger likes to play 2 dm in games maybe song an frimpong could b that combination which sounds tasty 2 me any body agree.
We need more honst players like Frimpong playing for their real countries.
my take on carlos puyol… =)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CHO5DoJDTI
Frimpong is a great prospect but to suggest Song is rubbish is just unbelievable – he was the revelation of last season and a quality player. Denilson and Diaby should be worried because they have never cut it at the top level – with Frimpong, Wilshere and Eastmond Arsenal have a great future.
I think Frimpong will win us the league for sure
I think Frimpong has chosen England as the nation he wants to represent Internationally.
Hugely encouraging from Frimpong, I agree. Imagine what he’ll be like in two or three years – awesome! Having said that, he did give the ball away cheaply this weekend, which is a common complaint of Denilson detractors. Not yet ready for a regular position, IMO, but I would still pick him ahead of Eastmond and maybe Denilson, both of whom are too lightweight at present.
Frimpong was again, good.Pple shouldnt forget he’s only 18yrs old and Song wasnt near as good at this age. So the inconsistencies and slips are, in a way, expected.If he stays grounded and keeps improving, he should get a few games under his belt-PL, CL,CC or FA.
For games away where we need to break up play and fight to win the midfield, I say we should play Song and Frimpong as DMs.Song stays calm to clean up while Frimpong does the job of running around to hunt down the opposition.My only concern is that Wenger is not very flexible with his tactical approach to the opposition and loathes any anything that looks like ‘thinking outside the box’.But Frimpong is a great addition and if we all endured the last few seasons watching, albeit painfully, the slow and often invisible development of the likes of Diaby, Denilson and Bendtner, I ‘ll gladly wait for this young ‘no-nonsense’ DM to oust some needless averages from our first team.
Frimpong is the next G.Weah…bravo mr.wenger, I’ve been all over the internet the last few days digesting every piece of information I can get. Sorry my english, but this is great site and nice text , I wil add to my bookmarks. Thank you.