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When a player of immense promise appears on Arsene Wengers radar, Arsenals manager sends chief scout Steve Rowley to watch them in an away game.
It is a secret code at Arsenal, despatching his trusted talent-spotter to see if their target fancies it on a freezing cold day at a place like Leicesters King Power Stadium.
Arsenal are a little bit late to the party when it comes to Wilfried Zaha, only putting their marker down in the last few weeks with their constant presence at Crystal Palace matches. They have arrived at just the right time.
Zaha is electrifying, the most talented and gifted player that Palace supporters have ever seen.
Tough on Vince Hilaire.
Tougher on Ian Wright.
True all the same.
He has mesmerising qualities, skills reminiscent of Ronaldinho when he began playing for Gremio nearly 20 years ago.
Zaha is capable of anything, twisting and turning his way past opposition defences with his exceptional ability on the ball.
He has everything: pace, strength, ability and power, all the attributes required of a modern day footballer. For 70 minutes, until Leicester began a late rally, Zaha was unplayable.
Rowley, who was in the stands, left impressed.
Three weeks ago, Zaha went away with the England Under-21 team for their fiery play-off matches against Serbia in the Euro 2013 qualifiers.
The working environment raised his game, under pressure to perform in training alongside players who are regular starters in the Barclays Premier League.
At that level, the players are that much sharper and Zaha responded by smoothing over some of the rough edges to his game.
He improved alongside Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson and Danny Rose, accepting the challenge of international competition.
It enhanced his game, returning to the Palace team for their Championship game against Millwall with an improvement in decision-making on the ball and superior game-intelligence.
Converting his ability to the Premier League is the next phase of his development, a target for a player regarded by all 24 Championship managers as the best in the division.
Six years ago, Theo Walcott wasnt even the best player in the Southampton team, but Arsenal signed a player based on future potential.
He was signed on the strength of 21 appearances and four goals, one of them an outrageous strike against Luton Town at St Marys.
Walcott was only 16 when he signed for Arsenal and his profile exceeded his performances on the field when he Sven Goran Eriksson took him to the 2006 World Cup.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is another Championship recruit, signed by Arsenal in the summer of 2011 after one successful season in League One.
His biggest test that season was against Manchester United in the FA Cup, a Saturday night game at St Marys.
He wore colourful boots that night and barely got a kick. After the game his manager Nigel Adkins reminded his 17-year-old winger that there was plenty of work to be done before he became a Premier League player.
Two years on he is showing signs that he will eventually belong, making 16 appearances for Arsenal in the Premier League last season and a handful this year.
Neither Walcott or Oxlade-Chamberlain possess Zahas ability and it is only a question of time before he is playing at the highest level.
Walcott barely played half a season for Southampton after graduating from their academy before he was sold to Arsenal for 12million.
Oxlade-Chamberlain played 36 League One games during Southamptons promotion season and left for the Emirates in 2011.
At 19, Zaha has already played 96 times for Palace in the league and made a handful of appearances in Cup competition, including their victory at Old Trafford last season.
He still has four years left on his contract at Palace, but Arsenal will be ahead of the game when he eventually decides to leave.
Zaha, who grew up in south London and came through the Palace academy, is an Arsenal supporter.
That may well be a factor in the final decision for Zaha, but first the clubs courting him will have to convince Palace to part with their prize asset.
When a player of immense promise appears on Arsene Wengers radar, Arsenals manager sends chief scout Steve Rowley to watch them in an away game.
It is a secret code at Arsenal, despatching his trusted talent-spotter to see if their target fancies it on a freezing cold day at a place like Leicesters King Power Stadium.
Arsenal are a little bit late to the party when it comes to Wilfried Zaha, only putting their marker down in the last few weeks with their constant presence at Crystal Palace matches. They have arrived at just the right time.
Zaha is electrifying, the most talented and gifted player that Palace supporters have ever seen.
Tough on Vince Hilaire.
Tougher on Ian Wright.
True all the same.
He has mesmerising qualities, skills reminiscent of Ronaldinho when he began playing for Gremio nearly 20 years ago.
Zaha is capable of anything, twisting and turning his way past opposition defences with his exceptional ability on the ball.
He has everything: pace, strength, ability and power, all the attributes required of a modern day footballer. For 70 minutes, until Leicester began a late rally, Zaha was unplayable.
Rowley, who was in the stands, left impressed.
Three weeks ago, Zaha went away with the England Under-21 team for their fiery play-off matches against Serbia in the Euro 2013 qualifiers.
The working environment raised his game, under pressure to perform in training alongside players who are regular starters in the Barclays Premier League.
At that level, the players are that much sharper and Zaha responded by smoothing over some of the rough edges to his game.
He improved alongside Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson and Danny Rose, accepting the challenge of international competition.
It enhanced his game, returning to the Palace team for their Championship game against Millwall with an improvement in decision-making on the ball and superior game-intelligence.
Converting his ability to the Premier League is the next phase of his development, a target for a player regarded by all 24 Championship managers as the best in the division.
Six years ago, Theo Walcott wasnt even the best player in the Southampton team, but Arsenal signed a player based on future potential.
He was signed on the strength of 21 appearances and four goals, one of them an outrageous strike against Luton Town at St Marys.
Walcott was only 16 when he signed for Arsenal and his profile exceeded his performances on the field when he Sven Goran Eriksson took him to the 2006 World Cup.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is another Championship recruit, signed by Arsenal in the summer of 2011 after one successful season in League One.
His biggest test that season was against Manchester United in the FA Cup, a Saturday night game at St Marys.
He wore colourful boots that night and barely got a kick. After the game his manager Nigel Adkins reminded his 17-year-old winger that there was plenty of work to be done before he became a Premier League player.
Two years on he is showing signs that he will eventually belong, making 16 appearances for Arsenal in the Premier League last season and a handful this year.
Neither Walcott or Oxlade-Chamberlain possess Zahas ability and it is only a question of time before he is playing at the highest level.
Walcott barely played half a season for Southampton after graduating from their academy before he was sold to Arsenal for 12million.
Oxlade-Chamberlain played 36 League One games during Southamptons promotion season and left for the Emirates in 2011.
At 19, Zaha has already played 96 times for Palace in the league and made a handful of appearances in Cup competition, including their victory at Old Trafford last season.
He still has four years left on his contract at Palace, but Arsenal will be ahead of the game when he eventually decides to leave.
Zaha, who grew up in south London and came through the Palace academy, is an Arsenal supporter.
That may well be a factor in the final decision for Zaha, but first the clubs courting him will have to convince Palace to part with their prize asset.
I don't want Wenger spending anymore money on anything.
Quote from the GOONBOT
FA Cup final is the same day as the Copa Del Rey final. I hope I don't have to miss Arsenal.
When a player of immense promise appears on Arsene Wengers radar, Arsenals manager sends chief scout Steve Rowley to watch them in an away game.
It is a secret code at Arsenal, despatching his trusted talent-spotter to see if their target fancies it on a freezing cold day at a place like Leicesters King Power Stadium.
Arsenal are a little bit late to the party when it comes to Wilfried Zaha, only putting their marker down in the last few weeks with their constant presence at Crystal Palace matches. They have arrived at just the right time.
Zaha is electrifying, the most talented and gifted player that Palace supporters have ever seen.
Tough on Vince Hilaire.
Tougher on Ian Wright.
True all the same.
He has mesmerising qualities, skills reminiscent of Ronaldinho when he began playing for Gremio nearly 20 years ago.
Zaha is capable of anything, twisting and turning his way past opposition defences with his exceptional ability on the ball.
He has everything: pace, strength, ability and power, all the attributes required of a modern day footballer. For 70 minutes, until Leicester began a late rally, Zaha was unplayable.
Rowley, who was in the stands, left impressed.
Three weeks ago, Zaha went away with the England Under-21 team for their fiery play-off matches against Serbia in the Euro 2013 qualifiers.
The working environment raised his game, under pressure to perform in training alongside players who are regular starters in the Barclays Premier League.
At that level, the players are that much sharper and Zaha responded by smoothing over some of the rough edges to his game.
He improved alongside Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson and Danny Rose, accepting the challenge of international competition.
It enhanced his game, returning to the Palace team for their Championship game against Millwall with an improvement in decision-making on the ball and superior game-intelligence.
Converting his ability to the Premier League is the next phase of his development, a target for a player regarded by all 24 Championship managers as the best in the division.
Six years ago, Theo Walcott wasnt even the best player in the Southampton team, but Arsenal signed a player based on future potential.
He was signed on the strength of 21 appearances and four goals, one of them an outrageous strike against Luton Town at St Marys.
Walcott was only 16 when he signed for Arsenal and his profile exceeded his performances on the field when he Sven Goran Eriksson took him to the 2006 World Cup.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is another Championship recruit, signed by Arsenal in the summer of 2011 after one successful season in League One.
His biggest test that season was against Manchester United in the FA Cup, a Saturday night game at St Marys.
He wore colourful boots that night and barely got a kick. After the game his manager Nigel Adkins reminded his 17-year-old winger that there was plenty of work to be done before he became a Premier League player.
Two years on he is showing signs that he will eventually belong, making 16 appearances for Arsenal in the Premier League last season and a handful this year.
Neither Walcott or Oxlade-Chamberlain possess Zahas ability and it is only a question of time before he is playing at the highest level.
Walcott barely played half a season for Southampton after graduating from their academy before he was sold to Arsenal for 12million.
Oxlade-Chamberlain played 36 League One games during Southamptons promotion season and left for the Emirates in 2011.
At 19, Zaha has already played 96 times for Palace in the league and made a handful of appearances in Cup competition, including their victory at Old Trafford last season.
He still has four years left on his contract at Palace, but Arsenal will be ahead of the game when he eventually decides to leave.
Zaha, who grew up in south London and came through the Palace academy, is an Arsenal supporter.
That may well be a factor in the final decision for Zaha, but first the clubs courting him will have to convince Palace to part with their prize asset.
I don't want Wenger spending anymore money on anything.
Been looking for more and more clips of him and he does look a massive talent. Brilliant frame and pace, and he's got lovely trickery. Will score goals too I think. Scholes will rate him I reckon:
Love how it's always me you predict the opinion of on a player
Very African playing style. Similar dribbling stance and technique to Kanu.
Scholes
Seriously, Frank Lampard is an absolute legend of the game. He needs to be recognised in some way eg. Frank Lampard OBE, Sir Frank Lampard or some kind of lifetime achievement award.
AntMcfc
Greatest ownage machine: Scholes. Absolute animal when he was a regular poster, I always knew I was in the right when he was backing me up, and I couldn't wait to read a topic that he was posting in because I knew he'd be tearing someone apart
BBC Sport @BBCSport Peterborough's Darren Ferguson on Palace's Wilfried Zaha:"He is the best player in this league and will go to the top." http://bbc.in/Udex56