Arsenal confirmed the signing of Brayden Clarke on Saturday, and it hasn’t taken long for U-18s manager Jack Wilshere to be impressed by the defender.
The Wales youth international joined from Wolves on Saturday morning with Clarke immediately named in Arsenal’s U-18s starting XI against Crystal Palace, where the Gunners came out 8-3 victors.
One of the best results of the season for Arsenal’s academy sides, Clarke caught the eye in his first game for the club, an impressive feat given how recently the signing was officially announced.
Jack Wilshere praises Brayden Clarke after Arsenal debut
And speaking to Arsenal’s official website, U-18s manager Wilshere was full of praise for Clarke, who on his first game for the north London side impressed, a promising sign for what’s to come from the defender.
Wilshere said on Clarke’s first few days at Arsenal: “Talk about personality and courage to play, the first time he trained with us was on Thursday.
“He trained yesterday and played 90 minutes today. We weren’t sure if he’d get through the game so I asked him around 60 minutes how he was and he said ‘yeah I’m fine.’
“The way he understood our style after only two days is credit to him. He’s very good technically, can manage the ball and look after the ball and I thought against Palace you’ve got to defend direct play and he did that really well.”
Arsenal might have landed a superstar for the future
Clarke’s impressive debut for Arsenal just mere hours after signing should now come as a real surprise, such is the defender’s talent that inspired the north London side to sign the 16-year-old in the first place.
And after such an impressive first game for the Gunners, there should be real hope that Clarke can become one of Arsenal’s next superstar names from Hale End, with his signing a potential jackpot.
Indeed, Clarke has all the qualities to thrive as a Premier League defender, and with coaching at Arsenal as good as it is, the Wales youth international could become a starter for Mikel Arteta’s side in the years to come.
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