Frimpong: January loan deal a possibility
Emmanuel Frimpong admits that he could go out on loan in January if regular first team minutes are not forthcoming by January.
The Ghanaian-born midfield enforcer has been a significant squad member this season, starting games in the Carling Cup, Premier League and Champions League. However, acknowledging that Alex Song, Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey are the current first choice midfield trio, and that Jack Wilshere is still to return from injury, the 19-year-old recognises a need to play in order to improve.
Speaking to the Arsenal official matchday programme ahead of yesterday’s Carling Cup tie with Manchester City, Frimpong noted:
“Obviously I had a decent start to the season but when players like Alex Song are back, along with Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey, it’s normal that they’ll play because they’re more senior than I am.
“Aaron and Alex had to wait for their chances in the past and that’s what happens in football – you have to be patient and can’t expect to be thrown straight in. You need to keep learning and hope that, when your chance comes, everything goes well.
“At the moment it’s hard for me to get into the team, no doubt about that.
“When you aren’t playing, the obvious choice is to go out for a little while and try to get some game time. When January comes we’ll see – you never know how things will go, so we’ll look at it then.”
One quality Frimpong has made clear he won’t be changing, despite aiming to develop his game, is his tenacity in the centre of the park. Learning from his red card against Liverpool, the youngster stressed he still enjoys being the hard man.
“Mistime one or two [challenges] and you run the risk of getting sent off, so I’ve learned from that and know I need to work on making the right challenges at the right times. But I’m still improving.
“It’s important that when I do play, I bring that aggression to the side – Arsenal aren’t necessarily known for that, so I’m happy that when I play I can bring something a little bit different to what we do.”
That ‘aggression’ is exactly what Samir Nasri experienced last night on his return to the Emirates. From the outset the little money-grabbing turdlet found his path blocked by Frimpong and was so completely nullified that he attempted to leave the field of play as a sub despite his number not being shown.
Arseblog News keeps it’s collective fingers crossed that The Frimster can maintain his development and become a long-term member of Arsene Wenger’s plans.
So true.