Arsenal made headlines by confirming the signing of Cohen Bramall, a 20-year-old Englishman from Hednesford Town. According to multiple sources, the lad had impressed Arsene Wenger during a short trial at the club just before Christmas and the Frenchman instantly became a fan of the youngster.
The player has been described as an exciting prospect who just needs the right push at the top level to get things rolling. He trained with the senior team at London Colney and some of the players were totally taken aback by the youngster's abilities. The London club got the player for a measly £40,000 which is almost equal to Alexis Sanchez’s wages of 2 days.
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Arsene Wenger has always had an eye for young talent and the Englishman certainly seems up for the task. The player is the typical signing that Wenger is famous for. Bramall is certainly a player most of us haven’t heard about. Sportskeeda brings to you 5 things that you definitely need to know about Arsenal’s new signing, Cohen Bramall.
#1 Worked in a car factory
The player initially worked at Bentley Motors in Crewe making £400 a week. At the Bentley factory, Bramall was responsible for fitting radiators. However, a few weeks back, he was made redundant and had already moved to a clothes shop.
Bramall who will be getting £3,000 a week at Arsenal revealed that there was a serious shortage of money and that he needed something quick to come in. Fortunately for him, Arsenal came calling and signed the player to a 2-year contract.
His story is certainly one that reminds us of Jamie Vardy who went from being a factory worker to almost winning the Golden Boot last season in the Premier League. We hope that Bramall enjoys similar success in the Premier League and shines for Arsenal.
#2 Signed from the 7th division of English football
Bramall’s signing has raised eyeballs since the player was essentially a part of Hednesford Town FC, a club that plays in the 7th division of English football. Not a lot of quality is expected from non-league sides but Bramall seems to be an exception. The player has made 26 appearances for the club and even scored a goal for the club.
He has made one appearance during his trial, although unsuccessfully for the Crystal Palace reserves in November last year. Before being snapped up by London giants Arsenal, he also played two non-competitive games for Sheffield Wednesday.
As is quite clear, the player certainly has zero experience at hard competitive football of the top rungs. The club will definitely have to groom him for the same.
#3 Can run 100m in less than 10seconds!!
Bramall’s former manager Liam McDonald has revealed that the player is gifted with blistering speed and compared his 100m timings to Arsenal speedster Hector Bellerin. McDonald in an interview to BBC claimed that the player is ‘lightening’ quick and that he would put him up there with some of the fastest players he had ever seen.
McDonald believes that this is mainly because of the player's interest in athletics as a youngster. The manager was happy with his growth and felt that a move to a top club like Arsenal would only improve his ability.
If the manager is to be believed, Bramall ran multiple the 100m sprint under 10 seconds multiple times. If this is true, Bellerin may not be the fastest player at Arsenal anymore.
#4 Compared to Ashely Cole
Arsenal scouts have likened the player to former Arsenal left-back Ashley Cole who was one of the best players in the world in that position during his time. Scouts were remarkably surprised by the 20-year old's ability to go down the wing and were thoroughly impressed with the attacking left back. The player can also slot himself as a wing back and his versatility will be essential if he wants to make it big in the football world.
The wonder boy has been praised for his speed, dribbling and runs down the left wing. The player had become viral on social media after providing the ultimate ‘Rabona’ cross which resulted in a goal. Bramall's natural talent was recognised by the Arsenal scouts and Arsene Wenger who have apparently already made plans to ensure that the player makes it big in the football world.
Dan Chapman, who was the first to recognise the talent of the player claimed that Arsene Wenger is looking for young players who have the hunger, desire and talent to play football at the top level. Bramall must have definitely ticked all the boxes on Wenger’s list.
#5 Doesn’t know who Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil are
This may sound untrue but it is certainly not. The player is from a non-football background and has absolutely no clue about football in top flight. In his first training session with the senior team, the player was unaware of most of the players except the English footballers.
Dan Chapman claimed that this was a big factor that led to his selection. Since he had no idea about who he was playing with, the pressure was a lot less and the player was able to perform to the best of his ability.
An environment like that would have certainly meant a lot of pressure and bag loads of composure. But Cohen’s lack of knowledge meant that the pressure couldn’t get to him.
