‘ARBLASTER IS SET TO EXPLODE’

BY ROSS HEPPENSTAL BLADES boss Chris Wilder has tipped teen Oliver Arblaster for a bright future as he edges closer to his Premier League debut.

In a week where Liverpool’s young guns grabbed the headlines, and Archie Gray, 17, produced a man-of-the-match display for Leeds against Chelsea, Arblaster (right) looks set to rank alongside them.

The Sheffield-born 19-year-old could feature in tomorrow’s home clash against Arsenal.

And Wilder said: “The game, from an academy point of view, is as good as it has ever been. I know there have been golden generations, but there is some incredible talent at the moment and I like that they’re not just happy playing in the Under-21s.

“They want to go out and get their hands dirty and I think they have done that.

“You’ve seen it at international level with the Under-21s and what England are doing right the way through the age groups.

“They’re producing some really good footballers and really good teams – and they’re winning as well.” Arblaster spent time on loan at Port Vale earlier this season and played for the Blades at Championship level – but never in the top flight.

Wilder added: “Ollie will handle it, if he plays against Arsenal. He’s got a long career ahead of him and an exciting one for him, although I don’t want to put too much pressure on him.

“There is a lot of talk about Ollie as he’s been involved in England youth set-ups.

“He’s deserved the right to be there and he has to deal with the pressure, but it won’t faze him. His career won’t be defined by him playing or not playing on Monday night.”