Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has already drawn comparisons between the ex-Hednesford Town man and one of his former Premier League aces.
After introducing the football world to some of the most gifted young talents of the past two decades, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger certainly knows a thing or two about player identification.
After all, this was the man who spotted and nurtured prospects such as Patrick Vieira, Nicolas Anelka, Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Hector Bellarin. Indeed, even twenty years after his arrival at Arsenal, and despite large fees paid for the likes of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, Wenger remains a firm advocate of youth development. Just ask his most recent protege, Alex Iwobi.
However, the signing of non-league rookie Cohen Bramall is a move that is alien even to Wenger. Bramall, a 20-year-old defender, has agreed a two-year contract with the Gunners following a successful trial at Arsenal’s London Colney training ground last month and marks a significant jump from the seventh tier of England’s football pyramid to the very top of the domestic game.
The relatively small outlay of an approximate £40,000 transfer fee pales into insignificance when contrasted to the reported £35 million spent on previous defensive signing, Shkodran Mustafi – although when discussing the signing of Bramall, Wenger was full of praise for his latest recruit, with comparisons to a 107 capped England international being a most surprising admission.
Regarding Bramall, Wenger told beINSPORTS, “He’s an exceptional physical talent. I don’t think he’s ready, today, to play in Premier League but he has similarities to a young Ashley Cole.”
This significant level of belief in his new signing, who only made 25 appearances for Northern Premier League Premier Division side Hednesford, is praise of the highest order.
Left back Ashley Cole may not be particularly well thought of at the Emirates after an acrimonious exit, but there is no denying he is one of the club’s top graduates over the last 20 years. After coming up from Arsenal’s academy, Cole made 228 Gunners appearances under Wenger’s tutelage, winning two Premier League titles and two FA Cups. Cole then continued a successful career by winning another Premier League trophy, four FA Cups, a Football League Cup and the coveted Champions League with London rivals Chelsea – before spells at AS Roma and LA Galaxy in the latter stages of his career.
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