ian1964 10,486 Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 Kyle Bartley says he is ready to break into the Arsenal first team this season after making giant strides during his time at Rangers. The commanding central defender was on the fringes of ArsÃ?¨ne Wengerââ?¬â?¢s squad last summer but the manager decided another loan spell would be best for his development. Bartley headed to Sheffield United before making the switch to Rangers, where he excelled as the Scottish giants secured a League and Cup Double. Now, after fine-tuning his game and learning a thing or two in the high-pressure environment of Ibrox, Bartley feels he has what it takes to be an Arsenal player. ââ?¬Å?If Iââ?¬â?¢m honest, I donââ?¬â?¢t think I was anywhere near the level to play for Arsenal last season,ââ?¬Â he told Arsenal.com. ââ?¬Å?But Iââ?¬â?¢ve come back, I feel really strong and I feel that I am ready now. ââ?¬Å?I learned the demands of being at a top football club who are trying to win things and how important it is to be a champion and a winner. Every time you step on the pitch, you are going out there to win so there is a lot of pressure on you. ââ?¬Å?I think I can offer something else [because] I am a little bit different to the other centre backs. I like the physical side of the game and I see myself as a leader. If ArsÃ?¨ne decides that he wants me in the first team then that will be fantastic.ââ?¬Â Bartley wasnââ?¬â?¢t part of the squad that travelled to Asia because he had not fully recovered from a medial ligament injury sustained while north of the border. He will link up with the first-team squad when they return to training on Tuesday and the 19-year-old is hoping to catch his managerââ?¬â?¢s eye ahead of this weekââ?¬â?¢s trip to Germany. ââ?¬Å?I spoke to the boss on the Friday before they left [for Asia] and he told me that they had four centre backs [going on the tour] and obviously I wasnââ?¬â?¢t fully over my injury yet. Itââ?¬â?¢s just one of those things. ââ?¬Å?It was always the aim to get back for the start of pre-season because itââ?¬â?¢s an important time of the year. I will be back with them on Tuesday when they are back in training with a view to going to Germany with them. ââ?¬Å?He has said he doesnââ?¬â?¢t want me going on loan yet and he hasnââ?¬â?¢t made his mind up. My hopes are the same as every year, to be an Arsenal first-team player. Hopefully, this year, that will happen.ââ?¬Â http://www.arsenal.com/news/reserves-news/bartley-i-m-ready-for-the-first-team-now?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+arsenal-news+%28News+Feed%29 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bears 0 Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 Not what we really want to hear from Bartley, but can't blame him 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazza_8 233 Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 What more do you expect to read/hear from an article on the official Arsenal website? I wouldn't read to much into it. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bears 0 Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 What more do you expect to read/hear from an article on the official Arsenal website? I wouldn't read to much into it. I'd believe club websites more than any other outlet available to players!!! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
54andcounting 0 Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 It really doesn't matter what he thinks - It's up to the club itself. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dutchy Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 He's still an Arsenal player, so I'd expect him to say that he wants to play for his club. It could be a signal to Wenger that he wants something decided soon, even if it is a loan back up the road. That would be OK! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmck 117 Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 He's quite right to say those things. But at least he's not denigrating us in the process, as he could easily have done: I learned the demands of being at a top football club who are trying to win things and how important it is to be a champion and a winner. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,486 Posted July 19, 2011 Author Share Posted July 19, 2011 He's still an Arsenal player, so I'd expect him to say that he wants to play for his club. It could be a signal to Wenger that he wants something decided soon, even if it is a loan back up the road. That would be OK! That's the way I read it,he is challenging Wenger to make a decision as he knows Rangers want him 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gribz 743 Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 He's got competition. Vermaelen is first choice then its one from Squillachi, Koscielny, Djourou, Bartley and Henderson and thats if Wenger doesnt buy 1 more. Another season developing with us playing in the CL and winning another title would be the best way for Bartley 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,198 Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 I can't see Bartley being kept by Arsenal and I'm not actually sure he did prove himself at us last season. Sure he did very well in his time here but he only played 5 games so I doubt Wenger will see that as strong evidence of his claim. Which is why I think a longer loan deal would be perfect for all. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.