Emmanuel Frimpong
Encyclopedia
Emmanuel Yaw Frimpong is a Ghanaian footballer who plays as a midfielder
for Arsenal
. Although Frimpong has represented England
at youth level, he has pledged his international future to his country of birth Ghana
. He holds both a Ghanaian passport
and a British passport
.
, Ghana
but moved to Tottenham
at a young age where he was originally discovered by Arsenal
and enrolled at the Hale End Academy at the age of 9 alongside fellow graduate Jack Wilshere
. He attended Gladesmore Community School
in Tottenham until he was 14, when he left to focus on playing football full-time at Arsenal's youth academy.
and he scored against Coventry City
and Milton Keynes
amongst others. Arsenal added him to their reserve team
in 2008. He made his début for the reserves on 5 October 2009 against Chelsea
. Frimpong as well as fellow academy member Jay Emmanuel-Thomas
were on the bench for the match against Sheffield United
.
On 22 May 2009, Frimpong was injured on the quarter hour mark of the FA Youth Cup
Final against Liverpool and was substituted.
He featured heavily in Arsenal's pre-season in Austria and received praise from Arsene Wenger for his performances in the 2010 Emirates Cup. "I believe Frimpong has done really well as well. He is a bit less of a dribbler but he is a fighter and he is a winner."
On 19 August 2010, Frimpong injured an anterior cruciate ligament
in training and was out injured for nine months.
After returning from the injury, on 17 June 2011, Frimpong claimed he was in talks with Championship
club Cardiff City
and League One
side Charlton Athletic
over a possible loan deal, which could give him regular football.
in a friendly against Malaysia XI
. Frimpong made his Premier League debut for Arsenal in their match against Newcastle United
on 13 August 2011, coming on as a second half substitute for Tomas Rosicky
. On 16 August 2011, Frimpong came on as a second-half substitute for Rosicky again in the UEFA Champions League
match against Udinese. He made his first start in the Premier League on 20 August 2011 against Liverpool
, but ended up being sent off
in the 69th minute of the match after receiving a second yellow card for a challenge on Lucas
.
in 2007. In March 2008, Frimpong scored a 71st minute goal for England against Germany's under-16 team
in the Montaigu Tournament
to give England a 1–0 win.
In 2009, Frimpong said, "no matter what, I will always play for Ghana
because at the end of the day, from what I believe, I am a Ghanaian.".
In August 2010, Frimpong was called-up for the England under-19
squad to face Slovakia the following month, though he was later forced to withdraw from the squad after suffering his anterior cruciate ligament injury.
In February 2011, Frimpong said: "I have always told my family that if Ghana calls me, I will personally ride my own bicycle from England to Ghana [to play for the Black Stars]". In August, Frimpong had planned to spectate a friendly match between Ghana and Nigeria
at Vicarage Road
in Watford
, but the game was postponed due to the 2011 England riots
. Later that month, Frimpong received his first call-up for the England under-21 team
. On 6 September 2011, it was announced by the Ghanaian FA that Frimpong has pledged his future to Ghana.
because of his hard work in the defensive midfielder role.
England U-16
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
for Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
. Although Frimpong has represented England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
at youth level, he has pledged his international future to his country of birth Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
. He holds both a Ghanaian passport
Ghanaian passport
Ghanaian passports are passports issued exclusively by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration to Ghanaians granted citizenship in accordance with Ghana Citizenship Act 2000. There are three types of passport booklets – regular, service and diplomatic passports...
and a British passport
British passport
British passports may be issued to people holding any of the various forms of British nationality, and are used as evidence of the bearer's nationality and immigration status within the United Kingdom or the issuing state/territory.-Issuing:...
.
Early life
Frimpong was born in KumasiKumasi
Kumasi is a city in southern central Ghana's Ashanti region. It is located near Lake Bosomtwe, in the Rain Forest Region about northwest of Accra. Kumasi is approximately north of the Equator and north of the Gulf of Guinea...
, Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
but moved to Tottenham
Tottenham
Tottenham is an area of the London Borough of Haringey, England, situated north north east of Charing Cross.-Toponymy:Tottenham is believed to have been named after Tota, a farmer, whose hamlet was mentioned in the Domesday Book; hence Tota's hamlet became Tottenham...
at a young age where he was originally discovered by Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
and enrolled at the Hale End Academy at the age of 9 alongside fellow graduate Jack Wilshere
Jack Wilshere
Jack Andrew Garry Wilshere is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Arsenal and the England national team....
. He attended Gladesmore Community School
Gladesmore Community School
Gladesmore Community School is a comprehensive, 11-18 secondary school in Tottenham, London. The school holds Mathematics and Computing Specialist status.-Notable alumni:*Chipmunk, solo grime artist*Emmanuel Frimpong, footballer playing for Arsenal...
in Tottenham until he was 14, when he left to focus on playing football full-time at Arsenal's youth academy.
Club career
Frimpong signed for Arsenal aged nine. He began his Arsenal career in their youth academyArsenal F.C. Academy
Arsenal Football Club Academy are the youth team of Arsenal Football Club. They currently play in the FA Premier Academy League, the highest level of youth football in England...
and he scored against Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
and Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes Dons F.C.
.Milton Keynes Dons Football Club is an English professional football club founded in 2004 and based since 2007 at Stadium mk, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire...
amongst others. Arsenal added him to their reserve team
Reserve team
Large professional sports clubs often have far more players under contract than could possibly play in a match. As a result, many of these clubs create second teams composed of players who need playing time, but have little hope of playing on the first team. The players on this second team are...
in 2008. He made his début for the reserves on 5 October 2009 against Chelsea
Chelsea F.C. Reserves and Youth Team
Chelsea F.C. Reserves are the reserve team of Chelsea Football Club. They are members of the Premier Reserve League Southern Division and the reigning champions of the Southern Division winning the Championship in 2010 - 11...
. Frimpong as well as fellow academy member Jay Emmanuel-Thomas
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas
Jay Aston Emmanuel-Thomas is an English professional footballer who plays for Ipswich Town. A product of the Arsenal Academy, he is a versatile forward and can play as a winger or centre-forward...
were on the bench for the match against Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
.
On 22 May 2009, Frimpong was injured on the quarter hour mark of the FA Youth Cup
FA Youth Cup
The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
Final against Liverpool and was substituted.
He featured heavily in Arsenal's pre-season in Austria and received praise from Arsene Wenger for his performances in the 2010 Emirates Cup. "I believe Frimpong has done really well as well. He is a bit less of a dribbler but he is a fighter and he is a winner."
On 19 August 2010, Frimpong injured an anterior cruciate ligament
Anterior cruciate ligament
The anterior cruciate ligament is a cruciate ligament which is one of the four major ligaments of the human knee. In the quadruped stifle , based on its anatomical position, it is referred to as the cranial cruciate ligament.The ACL originates from deep within the notch of the distal femur...
in training and was out injured for nine months.
After returning from the injury, on 17 June 2011, Frimpong claimed he was in talks with Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
club Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
and League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
over a possible loan deal, which could give him regular football.
2011–12 season
On 13 July 2011 Frimpong came off the bench to play 45 minutes for ArsenalArsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
in a friendly against Malaysia XI
Malaysia League XI
Malaysia League XI is a football team which represents Malaysia to participate in exhibitional matches...
. Frimpong made his Premier League debut for Arsenal in their match against Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
on 13 August 2011, coming on as a second half substitute for Tomas Rosicky
Tomáš Rosický
Tomáš Rosický is a Czech footballer who plays for Arsenal and captains the Czech national team. He has a brother named Jiří who is also a footballer...
. On 16 August 2011, Frimpong came on as a second-half substitute for Rosicky again in the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
match against Udinese. He made his first start in the Premier League on 20 August 2011 against Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, but ended up being sent off
Red card
Red card may refer to:* A penalty card that is shown in many sports after a rules infraction* A suit of hearts or diamonds* Red Card , 1976 release by Streetwalkers* RedCard 20-03, 2002 extreme football video game...
in the 69th minute of the match after receiving a second yellow card for a challenge on Lucas
Lucas Leiva
Lucas Pezzini-Leiva , often known as simply Lucas, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a Defensive midfielder for Premier League club Liverpool and the Brazilian national side...
.
International career
Frimpong opted to join England's under-16 teamEngland national under-16 football team
-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the Victory Shield match against Scotland.-Recent call-ups:The following players have also been called up to the England U-16 squad and remain eligible.-External links:*...
in 2007. In March 2008, Frimpong scored a 71st minute goal for England against Germany's under-16 team
Germany national youth football team
This article includes current squads of Germany U20, U19, U18, U17, U16 and U15 national football teams.-Current technical staff:- Germany national under-20 squad :- Germany national under-19 squad :- Germany national under-18 squad :...
in the Montaigu Tournament
Montaigu Tournament
The Montaigu Tournament is an international association football competition that is contested by under-16 national teams. The tournament was founded in 1973 by Dutchman André Van Den Brink who was the president of FC Montaigu, a French amateur football team...
to give England a 1–0 win.
In 2009, Frimpong said, "no matter what, I will always play for Ghana
Ghana national football team
The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
because at the end of the day, from what I believe, I am a Ghanaian.".
In August 2010, Frimpong was called-up for the England under-19
England national under-19 football team
-Other matches:-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the friendly match against Denmark.- Recent call-ups :The following players have also been called up to the England under-19 squad and remain eligible.-Past squads:...
squad to face Slovakia the following month, though he was later forced to withdraw from the squad after suffering his anterior cruciate ligament injury.
In February 2011, Frimpong said: "I have always told my family that if Ghana calls me, I will personally ride my own bicycle from England to Ghana [to play for the Black Stars]". In August, Frimpong had planned to spectate a friendly match between Ghana and Nigeria
Nigeria national football team
The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles or Green Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation . The team has ranked as high as 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, in April 1994...
at Vicarage Road
Vicarage Road
Vicarage Road, a stadium in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, is the home of the football club Watford and their tenants, the Saracens rugby union club. An all-seater stadium, its current capacity is 17,477.-History:...
in Watford
Watford
Watford is a town and borough in Hertfordshire, England, situated northwest of central London and within the bounds of the M25 motorway. The borough is separated from Greater London to the south by the urbanised parish of Watford Rural in the Three Rivers District.Watford was created as an urban...
, but the game was postponed due to the 2011 England riots
2011 England riots
Between 6 and 10 August 2011, several London boroughs and districts of cities and towns across England suffered widespread rioting, looting and arson....
. Later that month, Frimpong received his first call-up for the England under-21 team
England national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
. On 6 September 2011, it was announced by the Ghanaian FA that Frimpong has pledged his future to Ghana.
Style of play
Frimpong is known for his energy in the midfield and has been compared to current Arsenal player Alex Song and various other African midfielders who have lots of pace and stamina. He has also been called a younger version of Michael EssienMichael Essien
Michael Kojo Essien is a Ghanaian footballer who plays for Chelsea and the Ghanaian national team. He is a midfielder who has often been touted as a box-to-box midfielder for his ability to exert boundless energy in supporting offensive and defensive play...
because of his hard work in the defensive midfielder role.
Club
Statistics accurate as of 29 November 2011| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Europe | Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | ||
| Arsenal Arsenal F.C. Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups... |
2011–12 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 1 |
| Career total | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 1 | |
Honours
ArsenalArsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
- FA Premier Academy League: 2008–09, 2009–102009–10 Premier Academy LeagueThe 2009–10 Premier Academy League Under–18 season is the thirteenth edition since the establishment of The Premier Academy League, and the sixth under the current make-up....
- FA Youth CupFA Youth CupThe Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
: 2008–09
England U-16
England national under-16 football team
-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the Victory Shield match against Scotland.-Recent call-ups:The following players have also been called up to the England U-16 squad and remain eligible.-External links:*...
- Montaigu TournamentMontaigu TournamentThe Montaigu Tournament is an international association football competition that is contested by under-16 national teams. The tournament was founded in 1973 by Dutchman André Van Den Brink who was the president of FC Montaigu, a French amateur football team...
: 2008
External links
- Emmanuel Frimpong profile at Arsenal.com