Having only recently become a professional footballer, it may be crazy to think that Julio Pleguezuelo has any chance of getting near the first team this season, but his assured and confident performances for the U21s have proven enough to convince many onlookers of his ever-increasing talent.
Formerly of Barcelona, Pleguezuelo is a typically Spanish footballer, despite being defensive-minded, he is very comfortable in possession and has a good eye for a pass. The youngster joined Arsenal as a scholar in the summer of 2013 and signed his first professional contract with the north London side in April 2014, but had an injury-ravaged season following that.
At only 18-years-old, the Spaniard is already the captain of the U21s side and it’s easy to see why – he is a confident, agile, talkative and most importantly talented leader, who sets the example to his fellow defenders and is already someone who Krystian Bielik, signed in January, should look to learn from.
Despite the Poland youth national being signed as a defensive midfielder, he is being deployed by Steve Gatting alongside Pleguezuelo – and the partnership has worked wonders thus far, with the U21s side having conceded just two goals and finding themselves top of the league after three games.
Against the West Ham U21s, Pleguezuelo was composed and assured, keeping pace-for-pace with powerful forward Jordan Brown – a factor that will clearly bode well for him in the Premier League, albeit it he will be tasked against much, much tougher opposition, but the physical signs look good.
Pleguezuelo is a composed centre-back, who can be used as a utility player due to his ability to adapt to many different roles, including anywhere across the back line and in central midfielder – something that may prove unbelievably key as he looks to force his way into the first-team set-up.
The former Barcelona man endured a frustrating 2014/15 season, with injuries keeping his playing time limited, but if he manages to stay away from the treatment room, he may find himself challenging the likes of Per Mertesacker, Calum Chambers and Gabriel Paulista for a spot at the heart of the defence alongside Laurent Koscielny.
Having surprisingly been left out of Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League squad, announced earlier today, we should see Pleguezuelo feature in the early rounds of the FA Cup and Capital One Cup, possibly in the third round later this month against Tottenham Hotspur and it is likely that Wenger wants the 18-year-old to continue working on the raw aspects of his game – and without doubt, the Frenchman will be keeping a close eye on the talented Spaniard’s progress.
