Carruthers snubs Gunners to join Villa
442 Staff - Friday 26 June 2009, 15:33
Arsenal starlet Samir Carruthers has snubbed the opportunity to continue his development with the Emirates Stadium outfit and joined Aston Villa instead.
The 16-year old, who had captained the Gunners' U16 side and featured for Liam Brady’s U18 team last season, appeared set to remain under Arsene Wenger's tutelage in North London.
However, the talented winger has since decided to snub a new two-year contract offer with Arsenal to join the Villans, who came close to pipping the Gunners to a Champions League spot in 2008/09.
And Villa academy director Bryan Jones has revealed that Carruthers had the option to stay with Arsenal or join fellow London side Fulham, but chose Villa due to the club’s current track record under manager Martin O'Neill of giving young players the opportunity to shine in the first team.
“He had a choice of one or two clubs, but has decided to join us and that’s where we are at the moment." he told the Birmingham Mail.
"I think what swung it for us was two things. Firstly, the facilities which are a great pulling factor these days.
"And the family are also aware that young players are given a chance by Martin if they are good enough.”
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