Arsenal confirmed the signing of Joel Ideho from Dutch side Ajax on their official website earlier this week.
The 17-year-old speedster only joined Ajax earlier this year but his talent caught the eye of Arsenal’s scouts. Ideho will join Per Mertesacker’s academy side but good performances will help him climb the ladder quickly.
The Dutchman spoke to All Nigeria Soccer after his move to north London. He claimed he tries to base his game around Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha, a player Arsenal were trying to sign last year.
He said: “Arsenal had a strong and better plan for me than the other clubs and I personally think I will develop better at Arsenal than the other clubs.
“I would say my game is inspired by Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace because he’s a creative player with fast pace. My strengths would be my pace and my actions one-v-one.”
Former Arsenal boss Unai Emery was desperate to sign Zaha from Palace last year. The Ivorian was his top target but the Eagles’ transfer demands proved too much for the Gunners.
Arsenal signed Zaha’s compatriot Nicolas Pepe instead, which ended the Palace man’s dreams of a switch to the Emirates.
Still only 17, Ideho is some way off Arsenal’s first team. The Dutchman has to prove his worth to Mertesacker, Steve Bould and co before he enters Mikel Arteta’s radar.
However if Ideho can live up to the hype, he could become the Gunners’ own Zaha. That might bother the Crystal Palace star a bit considering he’s yet to secure a big-money move away from Selhurst Park.
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