Meet the talented Barazite: U19 international and Gunner

Felix sent this article in to our blog, but it got stuck in the spam-swamp. I found it just now and decided to post the article here. Thanks Felix, and sorry for the delay, mate.

Nacer Barazite is currently Arsenal Reserves & Youth leading goalscorer with 19 goals this season, he is rated as one of the Gunners biggest prospects as well as a huge talent in world football and at just 17 has already made two appearance’s for the Dutch Under 19’s side, and has already stuck twice, meaning he is the player most Arsenal fans are excited about.

Nacer started out with Dutch side NEC Nijmegen in his native Holland, after coming through the system, he was scouted and was quickly signed by Arsenal in the summer of 2006, making his debut in central midfield against Boreham Wood, he got on the score sheet and his giant frame and passing ability caught the eye, then followed spells on the wing and up front, before this season settling as a striker, this season, where his incredible goalscoring record has led to calls he should be given a birth in the first team.

In September he signed a two year professional contract, something Barazite admits has been the making of him in an amazing season:
“My attitude is even more professional, i have trained with the first team and i think that has been a big factor, i know the value of hard work and the determination to keep working to improve and raise my own standards, i have been able to pick things up quickly”
Training and developing with the first team has been massive for Nacer, and it has shown in his goal scoring record and overall play, but the Dutchman knows he alot more to learn before he can push for a first team place:
“There are aspects [Of Football] that needs pure hard work and determination, working and talking to the strikers in the first team has helped accelerate my development and definitely helped my confidence”
One thing you notice about alot of Barazite’s goals is that many of them are from long range, or finishes that only the most confident of forwards would try, tricks and flicks from a player who is on top of his game and enjoying life in London, but although confidence is high, Nacer admits he knows he has talent and the more he shows it, the better the results are.

Many have called for his inclusion in the first team with injuries to fellow countryman Robin Van Persie, and Eduardo, and when he has had the chance to play in the first team, its only been a few minutes, however when he was brought on against Blackburn, he showed early potential as the game was set for extra time, however disaster stuck, and he left the field on a stretcher with oxygen mask strapped around his face.
“At the time i was in so much pain, as i slipped i dislocated my shoulder, the main thing i was thinking was, “Why Is This Happening Now!?” i played in the Carling Cup against Sheffield United and i felt good when i came on against Blackburn, i had a few good touches, i was making some good runs and was really enjoying the game, i really felt i could made an impact in the game”

However his mental strength helped pull him through, he kept positive, and was back within a month, doing what he does best, scoring goals including a hat-trick for the Under 18’s against Southampton, Nacer took the injury in his stride and confirmed it has helped him become stronger:
“What the experience did was bring home that a serious injury could happen to me or any player, at anytime, but at the same time i have learnt to deal with it, in that i do not worry about the possibility of injury, the only way to play, is without fear”
Having featured for the first team, and Reserves it would seem difficult to get motivated for an Under 18s fixture, with often exposed conditions and small crowd, however the free-scoring forward says it is not a problem for him.
“I play with the same attitude for whichever team i play for, i give everything, i try my best and that’s the only attitude any player can have, whether i play with the Youth team or first team, we play good football at every level, there is always something to learn from any game and situation, and that fact keeps me motivated”

His fantastic professional attitude will take him far in football, added to his amazing football skills on the pitch, Nacer has the perfect cocktail to become on of the world’s best players, the future looks very very bright for the 17 year old.