by Nia Griffiths

After a superb performance from Jeff Reine-Adelaide in the Emirates Cup, Arsene Wenger has vowed not to loan out the midfielder this season.

The 17-year-old dazzled fans and commentators alike has he showed immense strength and agility for such a young man against the likes of Wolfsburg’s Kevin De Bruyne.

The youngster, who we’ve only just signed from French club, RC Lens, looked as if he’d been playing for Arsenal forever and even bagged his first assist, out-maneuvering the opposition and putting a perfectly-weighted pass on a plate for Theo Walcott to slot home neatly.

It’s understandable that the buzz around the youngster will have put a number of clubs want him for a loan spell on red alert. However, Wenger has assured us that this won’t happen and that he fully intends on keeping Reine Adelaide at the club for the next season until he finds his feet.

“He is 17 years old,” he said. “He looks very promising but he needs to work with us now for a year with the first team, to play with the U21s and develop. There is fantastic potential there and he will stay with us.”

The boss went on, “It was a good opportunity to watch him today. In some situations he has the game of a 17-year-old player but he looks very advanced physically for his age. I’m sure he has learned a lot from these games.”

However, when quizzed about the possibility of the midfielder having a role within the senior team, what that might be and how often, Wenger admitted, “Honestly, I don’t know.”