Arsenal Stars Face A New Challenge!

If you haven’t seen it already, Arsenal sponsor, Cooper Tires, devised a unique test for Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski (and a handful of Arsenal bloggers), to test their precision by shooting through 5 Cooper Sports Tyres. I’ve heard of jumping through hoops, but shooting through tyres? Take a look to see who came out on top.

It really wasn’t as easy as it looks – Santi, Ozil and Poldi showed that, not to mention Ramsey’s effort. In fact it was pretty tire-ing. Ahem… Whilst at the event, some of the youth team players took an interest, with the talented Tafari Moore and Gedion Zelalem scuffing their efforts nowhere near the tyres, to great delight from their teammates and us onlooking mere mortals. Here’s my feeble effort.

Andy Ansah, who led the event, even declined the calls to have a go too, despite his unbelievable tekkers! Talking of which, he gave us some great insight into Arsenal’s youth setup – much maligned in recent years. He eulogised about Arsenal’s 2009 Youth Cup winning team of Jack Wilshere, Coquelin, Frimpong, Lansbury, JET, Sanchez Watt et al and how they dominated the top teams, with the likes of Chelsea and United fearing them. A good reminder as to how good that team was, but also a reminder that so few top quality youth players cut it at the highest level. I couldn’t resist photobombing him though, during @GunnerPunner’s branding exercise.

Ansah also spoke about the planned Colney expansion and how training grounds have moved on in terms of quality pitches, equipment, environment etc. Real Madrid’s is the best he’s seen and Brighton’s new training ground is Champions League quality also. Ansah said that top facilities are vital for clubs to attract the best young players (as well as lucrative contracts, of course). All very interesting insight, thanks to Cooper Tires and Arsenal.