Getting to know Tyreece John-Jules: A profile of Doncaster Rovers’ latest signing
The 19-year-old is rated as one of the top talents on the Gunners’ production line and will look to prove that in League One this season.
Here, we look at John-Jules’ career so far.
Name: Tyreece John-Jules
Born: February 14, 2001; London
HE HASN’T ALWAYS BEEN A GUNNER - NOT QUITE ANYWAY
John-Jules started his footballing life at Charlton Athletic before joining Arsenal as an eight-year old. Barring a loan spell with Lincoln City, he’s been there ever since.
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Hide AdHE’S QUICKWith plenty of pace, John-Jules has been likened to Arsenal team mate Alexandre Lacazette in his style. Similarly to the Frenchman, he is seen as a second striker due to his workrate in the final third and his ability to hold the ball up. Given that he grew up idolising Thierry Henry, his style of play is no surprise.
HE TURNED DOWN ANOTHER EUROPEAN GIANT
Approaching the final year of his contract in 2019, John-Jules had a queue of suitors including Italian heavyweights AC Milan. But he opted to remain at the Emirates, with eventual first team football in his sights, and signed a five-year contract with Arsenal.
NOT HIS FIRST LOAN - BUT HIS PREVIOUS ONE DIDN’T LAST LONG
John-Jules joined Lincoln City on loan in January and managed one goal in seven appearances for the Imps. He then suffered a broken bone in his foot which looked set to rule him out for the rest of the season, even before the Covid-19 pandemic ruled out the remainder of the campaign. While with Lincoln he both played as a lone striker and in a two-man partnership.
HE HAS A FAMOUS RELATIVE
The striker is the nephew of actor Danny John-Jules, who plays The Cat in Red Dwarf and was also a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing.
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Hide AdWHAT THEY SAID:Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta: “When he was with us I was impressed with him, his understanding of the game, how he links with the people around him, how powerful he is. He has got a goal in him.”
Lincoln City manager Michael Appleton: “I think he’s got a big future. A lot of people will look it and see him getting into positions where he's had opportunities and he’s not taken them, but the biggest thing which has impressed me is his work rate, his quality of runs and how much he’s prepared to mix it up.
"There's been occasions over the last six weeks where he's come up against centre halves that have wanted to give him a bit of a hard time and he’s stood up to it and given as good as he's got.”