Arsenal sign 16 year old Gilles Sunu. The latest addition to Wenger’s babes

By 1970's Gooner

Arsenal's official Web site has included Gilles Sunu in the list of Arsenal reserve and youth players stating that he joined Arsenal on the 31st of July 2007.

Sunu, who has been hailed as Europe’s best prospect, has according to the Daily Mail signed terms with Arsenal for four years and will cost an initial £1million rising up to £2.7m.

The deal, apparently agreed at the beginning of this year was delayed until the youngster turned 16. He was signed on the recommendation of the club's French scout Gilles Grimandi.

Liverpool were also considering making a move for the top French starlet at the beginning of the year when he impressed for the French Under 16s.

Sunu who played for French Second Division outfit Chateauroux is the son of former Togo international, Manu Sunu.

Chateauroux's vice chairman Patrick Trotignon told the Daily Mirror as far back as February of this year when the deal was apparently agreed betweeen the two clubs that:

“He plays as an out-and-out striker like Thierry Henry, but he also can play in midfield. Gilles is lightning quick and he has great technical skills. But the key is that he is very intelligent, older than his years.

Arsenal’s Head of Youth Development, Liam Brady said on Arsenal's official web site:

“He's an all-action centre forward. We had him come to a tournament in Italy in late April and he did very well. He's hard-working and good on the ball.”

It appears that Wenger is relentlessly pursuing his policy of recruiting the best youth talent in the world and nurturing it to maturity and fruition for the benefit of the team and Arsenal’s financial health.

Wenger also recruited the highly promising Nordtveit by traveling all the way to Norway himself to convince the club to release him and secure the signatures!

It doesn’t look to me that Wenger will be leaving Arsenal.

Gilles Sunu Fact File

Date of birth: March 30, 1991
Nationality: French
2nd nationality: Togolese
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 81 kg
Club: Châteauroux
Position: Striker