Arsenal Under-18 head coach Jack Wilshere has written in The Sun that he has been told that the Gunners were disappointed when Yunus Musah decided to leave the club.
Wilshere has praised Musah, once at Arsenal, and believes that the 19-year-old Valencia midfielder will be a big player for the USA in their 2022 Qatar World Cup match against England on Friday evening.
The teenager was on the books of Arsenal for nine years before leaving for Valencia at the age of 16.
And now he is playing in a World Cup.
Wilshere has disclosed what Arsenal really feel about Musah, while naming him as one of the USA players who could really hurt England tonight.
Jack Wilshere on former Arsenal prospect Yunus Musah
Wilshere wrote: “There is also young Yunus Musah in midfield, who really looks the part even though he does not turn 20 until next week.
“We had him at Arsenal from the age of nine until he was 16, when he moved to Spain for family reasons and joined Valencia.
“He is a well-travelled lad, having lived in the USA and Italy too — that helped his football education.
“My assistant coach with the Arsenal Under-18s, Adam Birchall, always tells me what a good player he was in our academy — and how they were disappointed to lose him. But that’s life.
“We’re delighted that our academy has turned out such a talented player and wish him all the best, though perhaps he can take it easy tonight!”
Developing well
Yunus Musah has done well for himself after leaving Arsenal and is now an important player for Valencia and the USA national football team.
The 19-year-old midfielder has made 10 starts and one substitute appearance in La Liga for Los Che so far this season, providing two assists in the process.
The American star made 13 starts and 16 substitute appearances in the league last season, scoring one goal in the process.
The teenager’s agent, Giacomo Guidolin, told Calciomercato earlier this month that Valencia now value him at €40 million (£34m).
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