Emmanuel-Thomas in Arsenal colours. |
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Personal information | |||
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Full name | Jay Aston Emmanuel-Thomas[1] | ||
Date of birth | 27 December 1990 | ||
Place of birth | Forest Gate, London, England | ||
Height | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)[2] | ||
Playing position | Striker, Winger | ||
Club information | |||
Current club | Ipswich Town | ||
Number | 9 | ||
Youth career | |||
1998–2008 | Arsenal | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
2008–2011 | Arsenal | 1 | (0) |
2009 | → Blackpool (loan) | 11 | (1) |
2010 | → Doncaster Rovers (loan) | 14 | (5) |
2011 | → Cardiff City (loan) | 14 | (2) |
2011– | Ipswich Town | 19 | (1) |
National team‡ | |||
2007–2008 | England U17 | 5 | (0) |
2008–2009 | England U19 | 2 | (0) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 07:07, 3 January 2012 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). |
Jay Aston Emmanuel-Thomas (born 27 December 1990) 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. In the past he has played in a variety of positions such as fullback, centre back and in the midfield but has now found his best position as a forward.[3]
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Born in London to a St. Lucian mother and a Dominican father,[4] Emmanuel-Thomas is a midfielder who has also played as left back, left winger and centre-forward. He has been at Arsenal since he was seven years old, when he was spotted playing for his father's team by a Gunners scout, who invited him for training. In 2009, Emmanuel-Thomas said of his signing for Arsenal, "On the second day they asked me to sign a contract and I've been there ever since."[5] He became captain of the under-18 youth team when he was just 16 years-old. In the summer of 2008 he signed his first professional contract with the Gunners.[6] Emmanuel-Thomas has claimed that he is a supporter of London Football Club West Ham.
On 6 August 2008 he played in Arsenal's pre-season friendly 2–1 win over Huddersfield Town at the Galpharm Stadium.[7] Three days later he played for the first team in their 1–1 draw with Spanish La Liga side Sevilla in the pre-season Amsterdam Tournament at the Amsterdam Arena.[7][8] In the 2008–09 season he made 39 appearances for both the youth and reserve teams, scoring seven goals.[6] He captained the youth team as they were crowned Premier Academy League champions. They were first in Group A and after beating Group C winners Manchester City 2–1 in the semi-finals, beat Tottenham Hotspur 1–0 in the Play-off final on 17 May 2009 at White Hart Lane.[9]
He also played a big part in the youth team winning the 2008–09 FA Youth Cup, in which he scored in every round. Arsenal beat Liverpool 6–2 on aggregate in the two-legged final, with Emmanuel-Thomas captaining the side and also scoring in the 4–1 first leg win at the Emirates Stadium.[10] He was also twice an unused substitute in first team matches during the 2008–09 season. Firstly, on 23 September 2008 in the Gunners 6–0 Carling Cup victory over Sheffield United. Then again in Arsenal's 3–0 Premier League victory over Portsmouth on 2 May 2009.[11]
After attending Blackpool's first home game of the 2009–10 season,[12] he signed a one-month loan deal with The Seasiders. Blackpool manager Ian Holloway said, "I am delighted to have Jay. He is a fantastic young lad, he has a great physique and he wants the chance to come out and play. Initially it is just a month but I hope to convince him we can build on that and extend it for a longer period."[13][14] The following day he made his professional debut as a 57th minute substitute, replacing David Vaughan in a 0–0 home draw with Derby County.[15]
Talking about his debut, Emmanuel-Thomas said, "It was great and I enjoyed it. I've come to Blackpool to prove that I can play against men who are older and perhaps stronger than me, and that I can handle myself without any problems. Hopefully it will be good for me and will help me."[5] He then scored on his full debut on 21 August in a 2–2 draw with Watford at Vicarage Road, when his powerful header in the 56th minute went past Hornets goalkeeper Scott Loach.[16]
On 18 September, after five appearances, his loan spell with the Seasiders was extended by a further two months.[17] He scored his second goal for the Seasiders on 31 October in a 3–3 draw with Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium. On 3 November, with his three-month loan spell ending after the home clash with Scunthorpe United the following Saturday, it was revealed that Ian Holloway hoped to re-sign Emmanuel-Thomas on a half-season loan in January 2010.
After returning to Arsenal, Emmanuel-Thomas was an unused substitute for the Premier League games against Burnley on 16 December and Hull City three days later as well as Everton on 9 January 2010. On 18 December he signed a new long-term contract.[18] He scored a hat-trick for the reserves in their 4–2 Premier Reserve League South win over West Ham United at Upton Park on 12 January 2010.[19] He made his Arsenal debut when he started the 4th round FA Cup tie against Stoke 24 January 2010. Playing as a striker in a 3 man attack, he was substituted after 66 minutes.
On 27 February 2010, he signed a one-month loan deal with Doncaster Rovers.[20] He made his debut with the team the same day as substitute of James Hayter at the 76-minute. Emmanual-Thomas started the next game away against Bristol City and scored twice as Doncaster Rovers won the game 5–2. His loan was later extended till the end of the 2009–10 season.
Emmanuel-Thomas started the season in great form for the reserves, scoring 10 in 9 appearances. He made his first league appearance for the senior team against Chelsea on 3 October coming on for Jack Wilshere in the 81st minute.[21] Manager Arsène Wenger has been effusive in his praise for Thomas stating, "When his fitness is right, Jay will be not only a good player but a great player."[22] He scored a brilliant goal using the "hocus pocus" skill to get past 2 defenders and shoot past the goalkeeper in a reserve match against Everton and fuelled speculation that he should be playing at a far higher level.[23][24][25]
On 18 January, Emmanuel-Thomas announced on his Twitter page that he had signed for Cardiff City on loan until the end of the season. Toward the end of his loan spell he was drafted out of the match day 18 in order to facilitate Jason Koumas among the substitutes.[26]
On 26 July 2011, Emmanuel-Thomas signed for Championship club Ipswich Town for an undisclosed fee.[27] He scored his first goal for Ipswich in a 2–1 Carling Cup defeat to Northampton Town on 9 August 2011.
Club | Season | League | Cup[29] | Europe | Total | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | ||
Blackpool (loan) | 2009–10 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 3 |
Arsenal | 2009–10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Doncaster Rovers (loan) | 2009–10 | 14 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 5 | 2 |
Arsenal | 2010–11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Cardiff City F.C. (loan) | 2010–11 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 2 |
Career total | 40 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 8 | 7 |
Emmanuel-Thomas has played for the England under-17 team.
In October 2008 Emmanuel-Thomas was part of the England under-19 squad that qualified for the Elite qualifying round of the 2009 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.[11]
Emmanuel-Thomas is also eligible to play for Saint Lucia and Dominica.
Arsenal
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