Arsenal have offered professional contracts to two of their second-year scholars, English left-back Marc Bola and Greek central midfielder Savvas Mourgos. Marc Bola has been the first choice left-back for the under-21’s this season, making 12 league appearances and seven appearances in the UEFA Youth League, at the age of just 19. He has played both at left-back and at centre-back this season, although because of his stamina, his best position is left-back. He’s described as a powerful and stable defender who is also very good going forward. The staff around London Colney are excited about him, and he has trained with the first team on a couple of occasions, by that time he was just 18-years-old.
YouTube: Savvas Mourgos against Leicester U-18
Midfielder Mourgos started off his Arsenal career after signing on a free from Panionios after a successful trial by having some trouble on the pitch. He had a rough start to his career but after a bit of time adapting to his new home, he showed the staff that Arsenal were right to sign him. The second part of his debut campaign was very successful and by the end of the season, he ended up making 20 appearances for the under-18’s and also added three goals to that. He fits Arsenal very well because he is tidy and calm in possession and also possesses great ball control. At the end of his first season, he made his debut in the UEFA Youth League and earned his first under-21’s call up, at just 16 years of age. He is now 17-years-old and this season he’s played two under-21 games and seven in the UEFA Youth League, adding one goal.
It’s now only one player from the second-year scholars left who has not signed a professional contract, or left the club. That players is Mourgos’ Greek compatriot, defender Ilias Chatzitheodoridis, who has struggled to make an impact in Frans De Kat’s under-18’s side. The defender started 19 games last season, making one substitute appearance as well, but has not really impressed so far. It’s likely that he will be released by the end of this season.
YouTube: savvas mourgos vs brighton
Other scholars who signed in 2014, Kristopher Da Graca, Kaylen Hinds, Jonatas Centeno, Chiori Johnson, Hugo Keto, George Dobson, Stephy Mavididi, Tyrell Robinson, Ben Sheaf, Harry Donovan, Chris Willock and Aaron Eyoma, all but three have signed professional terms with the club. Donovan is now playing for Millwall, Dobson is playing for West Ham United and Centeno is now a member of the Sheffield Wednesday squad. Excluding the three who’ve already left the club, only Chatzitheodoridis is the one who is probably set to play for another club at the start of the 2016-17 season.
