Arsenal youngster Jonathan Dinzeyi has revealed that he has learnt ‘so much’ from ex-Tottenham defenders Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen.
The 21-year-old joined the Gunners on a free transfer from Spurs last year. It really was a shock to see Per Mertesacker snap up a player who Tottenham had just released, but if the BFG trusts him, so do we.
Dinzeyi was loaned out to League 2 side Carlisle United a day before the transfer deadline. Prior to potentially making his debut this weekend, the young defender has named four senior players who have helped him develop over the years – two from Arsenal and two from Tottenham.
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Arsenal youngster Dinzeyi: Two ex-Tottenham stars helped me so much
Dinzeyi told News and Star: “When you’re young and you’re going out to train with the first team, which I did at Spurs and which I’ve done with Arsenal, the players are all so welcoming.
“They speak to you in a great way, and I like to speak more to players in my position.
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“At Spurs that was Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, and I’d always be asking them questions. With Arsenal, I (used to) go to David Luiz or Rob Holding and I ask them about all sorts. Overall you just learn so much from these players, so much.”
The Insider’s View:
Although their choice of club was terrible, we’ve got to admit that Alderweireld and Vertonghen are excellent players. They were brilliant for Spurs during their time there, and they will go down as two of the finest defenders Belgium has ever produced.
Dinzeyi would’ve learnt a lot from the Arsenal boys as well. David Luiz, one of the most accomplished defenders in the world, is a fantastic role model for youngsters, while Rob Holding isn’t a bad player to learn from either.
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If the youngster can pick up the best qualities of each of those four defenders, he will end up having a fine career. His loan spell at Carlisle will show us what he’s all about. If he can impress, Mertesacker’s faith in him will be justified.
