Born in London, Hugh’s a passionate Arsenal fan who’s worked as a script writer and editor on the Channel 4 News Sport Desk, and more recently as a presenter for Adidas and KICKTV/MLS at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Now based in New York City, he’s been a host for the Club during their tour last summer, and has played a key role in the development of footballing content on Youtube.
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1. After the impressive performances of Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Alex Iwobi and Chuba Akpom, as well as the likes of Stephy Mavididi and Julio Pleguezuelo up and coming, are you excited about the future of the club and who do you identify as the stand-out talent of the lot?
Yes, I believe this is the most exciting period for the club as a whole for quite some time. It’s understandable that some feel it’s taken forever to get around that financially restricted corner, but there seems to have been a clear plan all along and we’re only now beginning to reap the rewards of Wenger’s brilliant vision, the full scope of which it will still take some years to fully appreciate.
The impact of new money in the game cannot be stressed enough, and the competition is now almost unsurpassable for those without limitless cash supplies, so for Arsenal to have all but secured their place amongst the World’s footballing elite for the foreseeable future, whilst funding the move to a new stadium in the capital is something we should all be proud to have witnessed.
Not that the club want to get into the habit of spending for the sake of it, but should we now stick to the format of adding World Class players during transfer windows, filling the youth set-up with talent of the potential quality of Gnabry, Reine-Adelaide and Crowley, whilst clearing the ranks of anyone who isn’t built for the journey to the top – the future is very bright.
Of the 5 names mentioned here, (and though we’ve seen very little of him) the stand out talent for me has to be 17 year-old, Jeff Reine-Adelaide.
Such quick feet, lots of pace, good physicality (and a body still to grow into), superb touch, silky skills, impressive vision and bags of confidence, he could go very far.
In my opinion, he’s technically good enough to soon be competing for time in the starting XI, but regardless of whether that’s too soon, and whether he could learn some basic things (like releasing the ball early enough/not doing too much all the time) – one thing’s for sure; he’s certainly in the right place to develop his talent, and as a primarily developmental manager, i’d imagine Arsene is extremely excited at the prospect of working with him over the coming seasons.
2. A position every Arsenal fan would love to be in, if you could make two more realistic signings for Arsenal, who would they be and why?
With everyone fit and a striker added to the side, I think we could beat literally any club on their day, and that with such a signing, a real challenge for the Premier League title is a realistic possibility.
The squad on the whole has a togetherness about it that suggests they have bonded well as a unit, and are close – but too many times, when it mattered last season, they were let down by injuries, insufficient cover, and, too often, when it mattered most those in front of goal have let the side down.
Regardless of whether you’re a staunch Giroud fan, or believe that Welbeck has the potential to be “the next Henry”, there can be no denying that Giroud was bought in a period of time where financial hurdles still had to be climbed, for a relatively cheap price considering today’s market and that Arsene has since turned his attention to another level of striker.
That could have been Higuain, it was very nearly Suarez – and we’re now led to believe that he’s interested in the likes of Benzema.
You’d think he’d want another option. You’d think that with the squad being this close to something truly special, he’d want to add that top quality striker.
I’d take Cavani, Benzema, or Lewandowski.. but there’s a real lack of clinical guys out there.. and I think after that we’re talking unattainable, so I totally understand if he’s not willing to spend £30m on something we’ve already got.
3. What is your all time Arsenal XI, manager and in what formation?
Manager: Arsene Wenger
Formation: 4-4-2
4. Do you think this Arsenal squad has the capabilities of finally putting in a genuine title challenge next season? If not, what needs to be done?
At this moment in time, personally, no. I think we’re close to being ready to challenge, but a replacement for Arteta/Flamini is needed, I sometimes wonder if Giroud is improving or is it that the squad around him is? Will he continue to improve as the squad does?
I’ve really not been convinced by Welbeck so far, but he has physical potential. Will he come alive this season? Can they stay fit? Are Chelsea weaker than last season? Will City strengthen? Have we added enough quality in positions they needed competition/improvements? Still a while left in the window for movement to happen, and you simply have to believe in a man that’s plucked Ozil and Alexis in consecutive summers.
5. Arsene Wenger is without doubt an Arsenal legend, and isn’t retiring any time soon, but who do you think are the main candidates to replace him once he does finally leave and why?
I have absolutely no idea, but I really think Arsene will be the last of a kind. It’ll be difficult for anyone to do for this club what he’s done. He’s a great man. A philosopher; visionary. It wouldn’t surprise me if it was someone who lasted 2 or 3 seasons, and was then churned out for the next. People like Pep Guardiola, but I’m not totally convinced. People love Thierry but I’m confused by his words of late.
People wanted Jurgen Klopp and probably still do… If we have to do this I’d probably say Dennis Bergkamp. He’s done his tutelage, is class personified, a great footballing mind, way ahead of his time, and should be held in the same regard as the likes of Zidane.
Perhaps he could take the reins and survive with the understanding of the essence of the club and its philosophies.
6. To end, what is your favourite memory as an Arsenal fan and why?
Without question the parade in 2004 after the Invincibles season – Upper Street was absolute madness.
Thanks very much to HughWizzy, you can subscribe to his channel and follow him on Twitter @hughwizzy.
