New boy Bramall’s got drive to be real Top Gun
ARSENE WENGER has tipped Cohen Bramall to go from Bentley reject to Rolls Royce footballer.
Arsenal yesterday confirmed the £40,000 signing of left-back Bramall from non-League Hednesford.
And boss Wenger says Cohen reminds him of a young Ashley Cole, who went on to win two league titles and three FA Cups with the Gunners.
Cohen, 20, first joined the Gunners on trial just a day after losing his job in a car factory.
Describing his move as “incredible”, Bramall added: “It’s a dream come true. I can’t believe that I’m here already.
“I got made redundant by Bentley Motors on the Tuesday, which was crazy because I didn’t know
what I was going to do. My agent rang me on the Wednesday saying, ‘You’ve got a trial at Arsenal’. I was gobsmacked.
“He said, ‘Pack your stuff and get to this postcode’, so I got there as fast as I could, then the next minute I’m in training with the first team.
“It was crazy how quick everything happened, how I met everyone and they just took me straight in.”
Bramall has had trials with Crystal Palace and Sheffield Wednesday. He will link-up with Arsenal’s Under-23 squad, but Wenger feels he can go to the top.
The Gunners boss said: “He’s an exceptional physical talent. I don’t think he’s ready, today, to play in the Premier League but he is similar to a young Ashley Cole.”
Wenger, reflecting on Bramall’s non-League experience, added: “I believe it’s a mental test – do you love football enough? Are you ready to fight to show that you are above this level?
“Players like Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny have had that test.
“Bramall is a promising left-back who has a lack of experience at the top level. But he has tremendous pace, a good left foot, a great desire to do well. He’s a very exciting prospect.”