With so many young professionals at the club, it takes something special to impose yourself and stand out from the rest. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, last season’s FA Youth Cup and Premier Academy League-winning captain, certainly has an edge about him and, in recent weeks, has been growing in stature in terms of his status at the club.

Emmanuel-Thomas has always stood out from his team-mates because of his immense stature, but his footballing ability is now seeing him become increasingly involved with the first-team squad. Following last season’s success, during which he was also named on the bench for the first-team in the Premier League and the Carling Cup, the tall, versatile lynchpin was sent on loan to Championship side Blackpool in order to gain extra experience and game time.

He featured regularly for the Tangerines and, although his performances couldn’t be defined as consistent, his talent was evident as well as his desire, perseverance and the ability to lead by example. Now back at Arsenal, he is taking prominent steps to fulfilling his life-long dream of becoming a first-team player at the club.

Arsene Wenger is certainly keen on the youngster. Having watched him make an impression in the Reserves whilst still a schoolboy, the Frenchman was always aware of his ability and future potential. However, he has now been nurtured into a player who is more tactically aware and has learned how to tone down his temperament when required. With injury problems to key players mounting, Wenger named Emmanuel-Thomas amongst the substitutes for the 1-1 Premier League draw with Burnley at Turf Moor on Wednesday and followed that up by rewarding the hard-working youngster with a contract extension.

He may not have found his definite position yet and he can still endure lapses in concentration at times, but Jay Emmanuel-Thomas is a big talent and one who, it appears, has a long future ahead of him in North London.