Arsene was a Jet setter
Jay will use football values he learned from great Gunners gaffer to help Livi
Jay Emmanuel- Thomas probably won’t get a mention in Arsene Wenger’s new book.
But the words of the legendary Arsenal boss will be ingrained in the big striker for as long as he plays. The Livingston frontman came through the ranks at the Gunners when Wenger was gaffer.
As well as the Frenchman’s nuggets of wisdom, Emmanuel-Thomas also had a certain Thierry Henry in his ear offering tips on attacking play.
That education has been the foundation for the 29- year- old enjoying a good career at places like Ipswich, Bristol City and QPR.
The man nicknamed Jet isn’t ready to stop now he’s landed in Scotland. In fact, going to Ibrox to face Rangers today will be a reminder of when he was mixing it with some of the Premier League’s big guns. After seeing a few of his Arsenal team-mates quit the game through injury, Emmanuel-Thomas is determined to play for as long as he possibly can.
He could have stayed at the Emirates as a youngster after breaking into Wenger’s f irstteam but rather than play second fiddle to the likes of Henry and Robin van Persie, he opted to pursue a career elsewhere. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t carry the same values and traits he picked up in North London from some of the club’s iconic figures.
The Livi forward said: “I worked with Wenger for two-and-a-half years when I was around the first-team.
“I was playing here and there, then going on loan.
“But I basically trained with them for two years straight so had a lot of contact with Wenger and Pat Rice.
“Everybody knew what was expected. He didn’t have to scream in players’ faces because we knew what he wanted.
“Every player was always at it, to their maximum, to give him what he wanted.
“If you didn’t perform, you’d know just by his attitude towards you. You knew if you’d done something wrong.
“The training was good and sharp. To say you’ve worked with Wenger as a young player is a big thing.
“I was at Arsenal from the age of seven so picked up a lot of good things there from staff and players. You never want to lose those good habits.
“One of the first things you learn there is about ball retention and how to manipulate it. If you’re a possession- based team, you need everyone to be able to do that.
“That’s one of the things that stuck. As a striker, the team depends on you to retain the ball.
“Then you have to add your own philosophy of how you play.
“I also had loads of conversations with Henry about certain aspects of his attacking play.
“When you’re watching training, their touches around the box to bring others into play or create chances was something that stuck with me.
“We had different types like Van Persie, Carlos Vela and then Nicklas Bendtner, who was a target-man type with a similar build to me.
“Henry is a good guy and would talk to you for as long as you needed. He’d give you insight – even watching him in training, you’d pick up so much.
“Everything I learned at Arsenal gave me the best possible chance to have a good career.”
In 2009, Emmanuel-Thomas was captain of the Gunners’ FA Youth Cup winning side, playing alongside current Premier League stars like Jack Wilshere, Luke Ayling, Kyle Bartley and Henri Lansbury.
But some of those highly-rated kids, like Emmanuel Frimpong and Tommy Cruise, have now been lost to the game. That ensures he’ll never take football for granted.
He said: “When I see former team-mates retiring early, it makes me appreciate what I’ve got.
“Tommy was playing in the Champions League for Arsenal at 18 or 19, just a teenager.
“But he had so many injuries before getting shin splints. He was one of the best left-backs I ever played with.
“For him to have to retire from football at a young age is scary. He stopped at 24, which is frightening.
“Frimpong also had serious injuries and after the third one he just announced that he couldn’t go through the rehab again.
“It ’s crazy when you see team-mates who could have gone so far in the game but, due to injuries, just couldn’t do it.
“It makes me want to play for as long as I can. Literally, I’ll play for as
long as my body allows.” He’s not yet 100 per cent fit after arriving in West Lothian but Emmanuel-Thomas will feature against Steven Gerrard’s side today.
Having played at big clubs, against quality players in
England, a trip to Glasgow to take on Gers holds no fears for the striker.
He said: “I’m looking forward to it. It’s been a long time since I’ve played a competitive game in a stadium like Ibrox.
“It reminds me of the places I played at earlier in my career.
“The last time would probably have been at
White Hart Lane for
Gi l l ingham against
Spurs – I was on loan from QPR.
“But I love big games in big places.
I thrive on playing aga inst bet ter players. To me, they are human no matter who they are.
“I ’ l l take someone on whether that’s physical ly or in a foot race.
“I look forward to the battle.”
To say work you’v as ed with e a young Weng big er – playe want you never r is to los good e the habit s