Arsenal: Jeff Reine-Adelaide Can Strive For Former Greats

Jeff Reine-Adelaide has stated that Thierry Henry and Robert Pires help his growth. The youngster can strive for the former Arsenal star’s greatness.

Aspiring after former greats is a natural human desire. We often find inspiration in the success of others and then look to replicate their success in our own endeavours. This does not just apply to sport, either. There are many walks of life in which historical figures serve as targets to strive for. Thankfully for Arsenal, they have many to choose from.

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For those of my generation, learning football in the late ’90s, the man who many looked up to as their hero was Dennis Bergkamp. Playing with a style that the brutish Englishman could never match, the Dutchman was a natural inspiration to myself and many kids like me.

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There are now players in the Arsenal squad who have the same figures who they strive for. In an interview with Arsenal player, Jeff Reine-Adelaide details how Robert Pires and Thierry Henry have aided his development, how he asks for their advice and their support as he looks to establish himself not just a talented youngster but an esteemed and accomplished first team member:

"“All players and children should look at how Henry and Robert Pires conduct themselves nowadays because they are exemplary. They are straightforward, always ready to chat with us and have a laugh. They spend a lot of time with the young players, talking things through and giving advice. Away from the pitch, I’ve gone out for a meal with Thierry Henry two or three times and he is a really great guy. He has always been very supportive to me and I am grateful to him for that.”"

Reine-Adelaide is most certainly a wonderfully gifted player; someone who Wenger thinks very highly of indeed. He is extremely intelligent in his movement, has the guile and the experience, even at his young age, to find the pockets of space in the final third to unlock even the tightest of defences and shows an understanding of the game that stands him in good stead for the rest of his career.

There is little than Reine-Adelaide cannot do. He boasts all of the technical, physical and mental gifts that an attacking midfielder is in need of. He truly has the skills to strive for the very best.

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And that is why the input, the advice and the support of Pires and Henry are so crucial. More than the actual knowledge that they can impart, the inspiration that they can provide is invaluable for a young player like Reine-Adelaide. This kid has a very bright future.