Jay Emmanuel-Thomas

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas

Emmanuel-Thomas for Cardiff City.
Personal information
Full nameJay Aston Emmanuel-Thomas[1]
Date of birth27 December 1990
Place of birthForest Gate, London, England
Height1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[2]
Playing positionStriker, Winger
Club information
Current team
Bristol City
Number10
Youth career
1998–2008Arsenal
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2010–2011Arsenal1(0)
2009→ Blackpool (loan)11(1)
2010→ Doncaster Rovers (loan)14(5)
2011→ Cardiff City (loan)14(2)
2011–2013Ipswich Town71(8)
2013–Bristol City77(22)
National team
2007–2008England U175(0)
2008–2009England U192(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:13, 12 February 2015 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Jay Aston Emmanuel-Thomas (born 27 December 1990) is an English footballer who plays for Bristol City FC. 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]

Club career

Early career

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 was at Arsenal from the age of eight, when he was spotted playing for his father's team by a Gunners scout, who invited him for dinner. 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.[5]

On 6 August 2008 he played in Arsenal's pre-season friendly 2–1 win over Huddersfield Town at the Galpharm Stadium.[6] 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.[6][7] In the 2008–09 season he made 39 appearances for both the youth and reserve teams, scoring seven goals.[5] 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.[8]

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.[9] 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 League Cup victory over Sheffield United. Then again in Arsenal's 3–0 Premier League victory over Portsmouth on 2 May 2009.[10]

Loan move to Blackpool

After attending Blackpool's first home game of the 2009–10 season,[11] 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."[12][13] 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.[14]

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."[15] 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.

Return to Arsenal

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.

Loan move to Doncaster Rovers

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.

2010–11 Season

Emmanuel-Thomas in Arsenal colours

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]

Ipswich Town

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 League Cup defeat to Northampton Town on 9 August 2011. His first league goal proved only to be a consolation as Ipswich were beaten 5–2 by Southampton on 16 August. Despite notching his first goal for the club, it was clear that Emmanuel-Thomas was still someway from his best, and was only showing glimpses of the trickery he had displayed in the Arsenal reserves. However, as the season moved into 2012, he really began to show the sort of form Ipswich fans had expected of him, despite the fact that the team were experiencing a poor run of form. After a number of long range efforts that had stung various keepers' fingertips and rattled the woodwork, Emmanuel-Thomas picked up his second and third goals for Town, as they pulled out one of the most surprising results of the season by hammering league leaders West Ham 5–1.[28] His first goal of the game was a powerful low effort from all of 30 yards that went in off the post, while his second was a cool right-footed finish after Jason Scotland had put him through. Thomas scored his fourth goal for Ipswich on 4 February scoring his first away goal against Coventry.

2013–14 season

On 8 July 2013, Emmanuel-Thomas signed for Bristol City on a two-year deal from Ipswich in a straight player-swap deal with winger Paul Anderson moving to Ipswich. On 3 August 2013, Emmanuel-Thomas scored on his debut for Bristol City. Emmanuel-Thomas continued his great start to his Bristol City career with a goal from a free kick against Coventry.[29] The following week he hit another against Wolves.[30] Emmanuel-Thomas scored and helped create the other in the 2nd Round of the Capital One Cup against Crystal Palace in a 2–1 win.[31] On 4 September he scored against Bristol Rovers in a 2–1 win in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy 1st Round, notably his best and most important goal of his Bristol City Career so far.[32] When the 2nd round draw for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy aired on Soccer AM, Emmanuel-Thomas appeared as a guest on the show. When Bristol City were drawn against Wycombe Wanderers away, he predicted the game would be "light work" and he would score 2 in a 3–1 away win. He scored his 6th goal of the season against Shrewsbury to earn Bristol City a point, The following game he scored the 2nd goal in a 3–2 defeat against Swindon. Jay would score his first professional hat trick on the 26th of October against Carlisle. A 2nd half 33 minute hat trick earned Bristol city their first win of the season and gave JET 10 goals for the season [33] Jay continued his great scoring record for Bristol City by scoring a Scissor kick against Oldham and it took his tally to 11 goals for the season in only 19 games. Emmanuel-Thomas further improved his goal scoring form with another goal in a 2–0 win at home to Crawley Town, meaning he had scored 5 goals in 3 games. Emmanuel Thomas finished the season with 21 goals. His strike partner Sam Baldock, had scored 26 goals, meaning the 2 were the 3rd best strike partnership in England with 47 goals between them in the 2013/14 season, behind Liverpool's Suarez and Sturridge and Manchester City's Aguero and Negredo.

2014–15 season

To start the 2014/2015 season, Jay was used sparingly as new signings Kieran Agard and Aaron Wilbraham flourished in attack for City. Bristol City started the season with a 22-game unbeaten run, propelling them to the top of League 1 and setting a new club record.[34] JET's first goal of the season came in a 2-1 away victory against Notts County F.C. on August 31, 2014. Emmanuel-Thomas then went 11 league games without scoring a goal, but finally broke his duct against Yeovil Town F.C. in a 2-1 home win on Boxing Day. After injuries to both Agard and Wilbraham, Jay shone in attack alongside loan signing Matt Smith (footballer, born 1989), including setting up Smith for 2 of his 4 goals against Gillingham F.C. in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Southern Area Final.[35] Jay scored both goals as Bristol City beat Doncaster Rovers F.C. in an FA Cup 3rd round replay at Ashton Gate,[36] before scoring in back-to-back games against Scunthorpe United F.C. and Fleetwood Town F.C.. On 10 February 2015, JET scored a stunning 25-yard strike in City's 3-1 home win against Port Vale F.C., taking his tally of league goals to 7 for the season and extending City's lead at the top of League 1 to 4 points, with a game in hand over second-placed Swindon Town F.C..[37]

Club career statistics

As of 7 April 2015.[38]
Club Season Division League Cup[39] Europe Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Arsenal 2009–10 Premier League 00100010
2010–11 Premier League 10201040
Arsenal total 1 0 3 0 1 0 5 0
Blackpool (loan) 2009–10 Championship 1111000121
Blackpool total 11 1 1 0 0 0 12 1
Doncaster Rovers (loan) 2009–10 Championship 1450000145
Doncaster Rovers total 14 5 0 0 0 0 14 5
Cardiff City (loan) 2010–11 Championship 1422000162
Cardiff City total 14 2 2 0 0 0 16 2
Ipswich Town 2011–12 Championship 4262100447
2012–13 Championship 2923000322
Ipswich Town total 71 8 5 1 0 0 76 9
Bristol City 2013–14 League One 461596005521
2014–15 League One 327123004410
Bristol City total 78 22 21 9 0 0 99 31
Career total 189 38 32 10 1 0 222 48

International career

Emmanuel-Thomas has played for the England under-17 team.

In December 2009 Emmanuel-Thomas was part of the England under-17 squad that qualified for the Elite qualifying round of the 2009 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.[10]

Emmanuel-Thomas is also eligible to play for Saint Lucia and Dominica.

Honours

Arsenal

References

  1. ↑ "Search results: Jay Emmanuel-Thomas". findmypast.com. Retrieved 17 August 2009.
  2. ↑ "Jay Emmanuel-Thomas". younggunsblog.co.uk. Archived from the original on 7 February 2010. Retrieved 22 July 2010.
  3. ↑ "From youth cup to Carling Cup". Arsenal.com. Arsenal.com. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
  4. ↑ "Celebrity Bios". Koudmen.org.uk. The Koudmen Education Foundation. Archived from the original on 3 March 2011. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Jay Emmanuel-Thomas". Arsenal F.C. Archived from the original on 5 March 2009. Retrieved 17 August 2009.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Fortune, Matt (6 August 2009). "Huddersfield Town 1–2 Arsenal". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  7. ↑ Taylor, Declan (9 September 2008). "Emmanuel-Thomas unfazed by the big stage". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  8. ↑ "Arsenal Win Premier League Academy League Final". Premier League. 17 May 2009. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  9. ↑ Veevers, Nicholas (22 May 2009). "Advantage Arsenal". The Football Association. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Rudzki, Krsytyna (26 May 2009). "Skippers' delight". The Football Association. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  11. ↑ Canavan, Steve (17 August 2009). "Arsenal star close to Pool move". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 17 August 2009.
  12. ↑ "Blackpool sign Arsenal starlet". Blackpool Gazette. 17 August 2009. Retrieved 17 August 2009.
  13. ↑ "Pool Land Arsenal Youngster On Loan". Blackpool F.C. 17 August 2009. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2009.
  14. ↑ "Blackpool vs Derby County". Blackpool F.C. 18 August 2009. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  15. ↑ Canavan, Steve (20 August 2009). "Arsenal star wants to make Pool impression". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 20 August 2009.
  16. ↑ "Watford vs Blackpool". Blackpool F.C. 21 August 2009. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2009.
  17. ↑ "JET Extends Seasiders Loan Spell". Blackpool F.C. 18 September 2009. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2009.
  18. ↑ "Emmanuel-Thomas signs long-term contract". Arsenal F.C. 18 December 2009. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  19. ↑ "Reserves: West Ham 2–4 Arsenal". Arsenal F.C. 12 January 2010. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
  20. ↑ "Rovers bag young Gunner". Sky Sports. 27 February 2010. Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  21. ↑ http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3293521/first-team/chelsea-v-arsenal?tab=report
  22. ↑ http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=836186&sec=england&cc=5901
  23. ↑ VIDEO:Jay Emmanuel Thomas scores a wonder goal for Arsenal reserves v Everton, 101greatgoals.com. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  24. ↑ Emmanuel-Thomas reaches double figures as Reserves fight back against Everton, arsenalyouth.wordpress.com. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
  25. ↑ Arsenal 4 – 1 Everton, arsenal.com. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
  26. ↑ Message to Cardiff City support, twitter.com
  27. ↑ "Emmanuel-Thomas joins Ipswich". Sky Sports. 26 July 2011. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
  28. ↑ "Ipswich 5–1 West Ham". Ipswich Town F.C. 31 January 2012. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  29. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23565332
  30. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23644763
  31. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23764016
  32. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23860414
  33. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24590462
  34. ↑ http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11719/9565772/sky-bet-league-one-bristol-citys-unbeaten-run-finally-comes-to-an-end
  35. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30629908
  36. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30691989
  37. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31106081
  38. ↑ "Statistics". ESPN Soccernet. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  39. ↑ Includes Football League Trophy, FA Cup and League Cup

External links