Yaya Sanogo

Raptorgunner wrote:

The 20-year-old striker has struggled with a series of injuries throughout his career and is yet to complete five consecutive matches

This is just scary, if you are like this at age 20, what happens in few years?

Arsenal aren't exactly dying for quality wingers at the moment, with Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lukas Podolski and Gervinho all available out wide.

But Podolski always seems to play far better when utilized centrally, while Gervinho has the rare capacity to dazzle and confound all on the same play. For that reason, keeping an eye to the future when it comes to the winger position wouldn't be the worst idea for Arsene Wenger.

Enter Levante's Ruben Garcia.



In a team mostly known for its more senior players,it's Garcia who has emerged to the most acclaim this season at Levante.

In a team mostly known for its more senior players, it’s a young man that has emerged to the most acclaim this season at Levante. This time last season no one knew the name of Ruben Garcia, but now he’s marked down as one of Spanish football’s most exciting prospects.

The 19-year-old has exploded onto the scene in La Liga this year not only with his ability, but his remarkable consistency too. The impression he left in pre-season gave coach Juan Ignacio Martinez no option but to offer the player first team options, and Ruben hasn’t let anyone down.

In the first half of the season he was used as a bit part player, providing pace and impact in the latter stages of games. In that time he became Levante’s youngest ever scorer in La Liga, scoring against Real Mallorca at the tender age of 19 years, four months and 26 days.

There was an emphatic nature about his finish - a run down his favoured left side before exchanging a one two, then hammering home - perhaps wanting to hammer home a point to Levante’s local rivals Valencia. Why? Ruben came through Valencia’s youth academy and was overlooked by their Cadet level coach at the time, Mauricio Pellegrino, with injuries also stalling his development. Levante wasted no time in picking up the discarded player, and after working hard through their own youth ranks Garcia got his reward this campaign.

Garcia is a left sided player, who alternates between wing duties and cutting inside. The interior move is favoured in Spain, and rather than offering natural width it allows a team to group up in central areas. Ruben’s aggressive running, balance and neat footwork have been vital tools in his rise to prominence.

With Levante basing much of their game on defence and counter attacking, Ruben has fitted in superbly. His defensive work has been adept as he joined in the central midfield areas, while his pace and ability to drop the shoulder and beat opponents makes him an asset on the counter-attack. He can work with the ball from deep, or pick it up in advanced areas and go around the outside of full-backs. He’s shown the maturity and versatility to play wherever coach Martinez decided, and has featured as a striker, playmaker and right sided winger on occasions.

He’s shown an eye for a pass as the season has gone on too, working well in small spaces and deceiving opponents with his quick feet. So impressive has been his impact, there are people comparing him to Juan Mata in his Valencia days.

He could soon find himself playing in the same league as the Chelsea man, given he’s been taking English lessons for some time now and happens to be a huge fan of the Premier League.

A clause of €10m and contract extension was soon inserted into his contract as it became known Valencia were interested in bringing him back to Mestalla, while Atletico Madrid were also watching on.

To reward for him his good work he’s received call-ups to Spain’s Under-19 and Under-20 sides, and it’s expected he’ll take part in the World Cup campaign of the latter.

Things are moving quickly for Ruben Garcia, and they’re showing no sign of slowing down.

Lex wrote:Why are people bitching about a footballer earning 25k pw? That's considered poverty in the world of football nowadays. Next thing you know, you guys will want our players to earn their money by the hour

free_cat wrote: Poor guy, he choose the worst club you can go if you have a fragile physique. Arsenal, the place where torture happens.

EL Patron wrote:is it me or Wenger seems to favour strikers who are more physical nowadays   

sportsczy wrote:He's been horrific so far with U23 France.  So freakin clumsy... it drives me crazy.  Also has no idea how to make runs.  The only thing he does well is hold up the ball in the midfield area and playing a teammate on.  That's it.  He sucks horribly.  No idea what these coaches see in him.