Arsenal FC

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Bould tips young Gunners

11 Jun 2009 - 12:00:16

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Arsenal youth team manager Steve Bould has backed some of his young stars to break into Arsene Wenger's first team next season.

An all-conquering Gunners side won the Academy league and Youth Cup Final last season and Bould sees no season why some of his starlets can't make the step up next season.

Bould has cited the example of Kieran Gibbs, who became a first-team regular last season just two years after playing in the youth ranks.

"We won't know how good they can be until they're thrown in the first team," Bould told the club's official website.

"But they've certainly got talent - there's lots and lots of talent here. Whether they've got the character you never know until you throw them in at the deep end but we hope that's the next stage for them.

"It's probably not realistic to expect four or five players to break into the first team on a regular basis. It's difficult but there's no reason why one, two or three can't go on.

"Kieran Gibbs is in there at the moment so anything over and above one or two players is a massive bonus and that's what we're striving for because it's a world-class level."