Young Gunners defender Daniel Ballard talks about raising some of the club’s best young talents and what Ozil looks like in training
Bukayo Saka has been turning heads at Arsenal for years.
The young striker may not have come to the attention of the wider football world in the last few seasons, but his talent has always been known by the puppy he has represented since. and nine.
From coaches to teammates, everyone could see how special Saka was from a young age so his rapid rise to prominence since he got his first platform in 2018 is no surprise. bith.
And for some – including young Arsenal midfielder Daniel Ballard – it has also come as a relief.
“If Bukayo didn’t get right on the way to the top, there was no hope of any of us,” said the 21-year-old. Amas.
“He was a U16 player in our U18s and was consistently the best player. If there was one person you knew who would go and get a visit or give you some magical results, that’s it.
“Even in the U23s, I remember a lot of the hopes we put on him, or at least I did. He was the only person I knew who would score or win the game for us.
“So, I’m just delighted to see the club recognize that special talent because he’s such a nice, humble person. You want him to do really well because he’s such a nice guy and he works really hard.
“Everyone who knows him is delighted.”
In the few difficult years for Arsenal, some of the youngest players who have moved on to the first team from the academy have helped lift the gloom.
There is no doubt that Saka has been a bright light, but Reiss Nelson, Joe Willock, Eddie Nketiah and Ainsley Maitland-Niles have all influenced the upper side, as has Emile Smith Rowe.
The Croydon-born player has seized his first-team chance in the last few weeks, so he may be able to rest on Saturday when Arsenal have suspended the FA Cup campaign with a home tie against Newcastle in the third round.
Smith Rowe is another player Ballard knows well, with the pair having progressed through the junior stages together.
And the defender – who is currently spending the season on loan with Blackpool – believes the attacking midfielder is what it takes to move on to things. great achievements in the professional game.
“After playing with them, you can see all the qualities they have,” Ballard said. “Not just Emile and Bukayo, but Eddie, Reiss and Joe.
“But Emile is a special player. He’s a player I think every manager would want in their team.
“He’s a real team player and I think Arsenal really enjoy him. He gets the ball and moves it, he runs at the defenders. He just fits the way Arsenal play and is someone who goes to the very top. ”
Ballard has been with Arsenal since he was seven and after difficult times during his teens – when he was twice told he was released – his focus is now on pushed his way into Mikel Arteta’s plans once his spells at Blackpool come to an end.
Prior to moving on loan to Bloomfield Road, the Northern Ireland international spent a lot of time training with London Colney ‘s top squad and wants more of the same when he returns.
One player he will not oppose, however, is Mesut Ozil, who is out of contract this summer and could even leave the club this month, should an agreement be reached. find out in the coming days.
The German has won the FA Cup four times since moving to north London from Real Madrid in 2013 and Ballard does not have a good knowledge of his talent.
“I always say Ozil is the best thing I’ve ever seen live or trained by,” the young defender said. “It’s like seeing everything move slowly. The way it moves and flows with the ball is so natural.
“You can’t predict what he’s going to do and you can’t turn for one second or leave a half-meter gap with a little laziness because he’ll pass the ball straight through.
“Some of his rubbings and stress go away, I’ve never seen him. ”