Theo: Jeff Reine-Adelaide has the skills to succeed

Jeff Reine-Adelaide recently dazzled Arsenal fans with promise at the Emirates Cup. The 17-year-old was the standout surprise inclusion in Wenger’s squad, which included the majority of team’s senior players.

However, Reine-Adelaide certainly took the opportunity with two hands and showed both Wenger and Arsenal fans just what he’s capable of.

He made his debut in the first game of the weekend, coming on as a substitute against Lyon. The following day he was handed his first start and impressed as he provided the assist for Theo Walcott’s winner against Wolfsburg.

Since then, Arsene Wenger has confirmed that the youngster will train with the first team for the 2015/16 season, despite being the tender age of just 17-years-old.

Theo Walcott has also been full of praise for the youngster and in an interview with Arsenal Player, he claimed that Arsenal is the perfect club for Reine-Adelaide to further develop his game.

“For 17 he’s confident on the ball and he wants to express himself as well, which is important,” Walcott said. “It’s always nice to see a young player not be shy on the ball. Even if he makes a mistake he wants it again, which is a good sign.

“Getting that assist at the weekend just shows he’s got that touch in the final third where it matters most, and he’s got a good physical presence about him. The most important thing is not to put too much pressure on the young guy’s shoulders.

“He’s still got a lot to learn but he’s at the best club to do that with the best manager as well. He’s definitely got some skills and he’s very talented, I’ve got to admit.”

When Walcott first broke into the Arsenal squad he was a similar age to Reine-Adelaide and went on to offer the youngster advice on how to adapt to being involved with the first-team squad.

“I was completely starstruck when I first came here, so he may be in the same boat as well,” said Walcott. “It’s always quite surreal when you walk into the dressing room and you’re training with guys that you use to play as on FIFA.

“It may take a while just to get used to that but when he plays games he’ll forget about that because he knows he’s good enough to be here. That’s why he’s been given the opportunity to play and if he gets that in his head, he will go far.”