Arsene Wenger is getting ready to unleash the new Patrick Vieira on the Premier League.
The Arsenal boss is a past master at spotting young talent, teaching them the Arsenal way and then exposing their talents when good and ready.
The likes of Alex Song, Gael Clichy, Abou Diaby and Denilson have all arrived at the club as teenagers for paltry sums and made their mark in the first team. Just like Cesc Fabregas beforehand.
Arsene’s latest discover is Bolivian prodigy Samuel Galindo, who has been described as the next Vieira.
Galindo is a 17-year-old attacking midfielder who was signed from Real America in January for an undisclosed fee, believed to be between £500,000 and £1 million.
Arsenal beat off competition from the likes of Everton, Manchester City, Fiorentina and Newcastle for the Bolivian youngster’s signature.
Galindo possesses excellent passing skills, composure in front of goal and the ability to get from box to box. At 6 foot 2, Galindo is great in the air and a real handful in the opposition’s area.
His height has led to comparisons with former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira, because of his commanding presence on the ball. Wenger said of Galindo: "He is a player who has good technique, he’s intelligent, 6ft 2in, left-footed and that’s plenty of qualities. He also has good stamina and can give good balls, he has good vision and we like that here."
"It’s true that he was at Everton but he was offered to come to me on trial. I said yes, I liked what I saw and I signed him."
Wenger has said that Galindo is likely to be loaned out to a Spanish club, mainly because he cannot secure a work permit because he has not played enough games for Bolivia. This is the same method used with Carlos Vela, who spent time in Spain with Celta Vigo, Salamanca and Osasuna before returning to Arsenal.
