XAVIER AMAECHI
AGE: 18 CLUB: ARSENAL POSITION: WINGER VALUE: £400,000 WHAT HAS HE GOT? In recent seasons, Arsenal have lost Chris Willock to Benfica, and Reiss Nelson has been loaned to Hoffenheim to get game-time. Amaechi, a wide man who has recently celebrated his 18th birthday, could also find his pathway to the first team blocked but nevertheless looks on the right track for a promising career. He is a left-footed player operating on the right side but who will use his weaker foot also. Powerfully built, he has the essential qualities of a modernday winger and, with the favoured system comprising two wide men with a central striker these days, there should be plenty of opportunities to play. Early on in one game I saw, he surged past the opposition full back using his body frame to ease in front and accelerate away. He was prepared to back his speed at every opportunity but as the game progressed the full back began to read his intentions and was able to dispossess him or force him into traffic. Amaechi failed to find the answer. To his credit he persisted in driving across field where his full back had forced him and unleashed a powerful left-foot drive. Seconds later, he impressed in a foot race and let fly a tremendous drive with the other foot. This was evidence of his persistence but also pointed to a little inconsistency. He worked hard and made himself available to receive.
WHAT DOES HE NEED?
I wanted to see him get his head up and play combinations and I also wanted to see a more regular change of pace from a casual stride to really fast acceleration. He seemed to want to get the ball on his left foot as much as possible and sought to make penetrative runs. He looks a goalscorer and it was his 30 to 40-yard dashes that caught the eye as he showed the stamina to continue his runs at intensity for the full 90 minutes. I am not sure how much guile and creativity he currently has but in his age group he is a threat to any full back with his power and pace. The Arsenal coaches will add to his game and this season he has been a regular in the Under 23 academy team while still available for the FA Youth Cup side that recently lost to West Brom. Still very much an apprentice winger, I shall monitor his progress.