QUOTE(Phonzy @ Aug 19 2011, 01:57 AM)
anyone thinks that putting RYO 31 on my new arsenal away jersey this season is a safe and wise choice?

Actually no.
If he makes it big this season, expect him to take a number which is closer to the first team. Nasri's 8 is a huge possibility, whereas Vela's 11 may also be available if he decides not to stay on in the near future after his Spanish loan deal. We're already handing out first team numbers to many kids - Jenkinson 25, OC 15, and also rumoured to give Joel Campbell number 12.
If he still isn't ready then he may go out on loan like many other youngsters before him, and he won't even have a proper number then.
I say wait for another season to see what his development is like.
My feeling is that he'll make it by next season. We're looking at someone who played regularly in one of Europe's top leagues last season, performed at a fairly consistent level, and made a huge impact in his team. The last time we had a player who had this kind of successful loan deal was Jack Wilshere at Bolton, so it's not unfair to have higher expectations on Ryo.
The caveat however, is the case of Henri Lansbury. The chap also had a fruitful season with Norwich last season, but he doesn't seem anywhere near the first team for the time being. There must be something missing from him that Arsene expects, otherwise given the current gaping hole in our midfield he would been promised a more prominent role - at least a regular seat on the bench and the weekly 10-20 minute cameo.
This post has been edited by StarGhazzer: Aug 19 2011, 07:02 AM