Arsenal reject praised by new manager | OneFootball

Scott Parker has praised Jaidon Anthony for bouncing back and improving after being “rejected” by Arsenal as a younger player.

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Burnley winger Jaidon Anthony is currently on loan from AFC Bournemouth, the club he’s been contracted to since 2016. Before that, the 25-year-old had spent 10 years in the Arsenal academy, but he didn’t get the chance to sign professional terms with the Gunners.

Instead, Anthony went out on a trial with Bournemouth, who ultimately decided to pick him up.

The player spent time under Scott Parker in 2021/22, and the two have reunited this season with Burnley. After Anthony’s latest goal for Burnley against Watford on Saturday, Parker had plenty of praise for the player.

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“When I went to Bournemouth, Jaidon had been rejected by Arsenal, was in the under-21s and the minute I saw him, the thing that stood out was his character and what he gives,” Parker said.

“As a coach, he is a seven out of 10 every week, and at times, he’s nines and 10s.

“You have a baseline with him and you have seen that over the course of this season, really.

“Look, if there is one name of all the players I have coached over my career, Jaidon Anthony is right up there.”

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Anthony is clearly popular with his managers, playing as a regular starter in each of the last four seasons. Though he’ll want more days like Saturday, as he’s yet to prove himself as a prolific goalscorer.

The ex-Arsenal academy forward’s best season tally was the eight goals he scored in Bournemouth’s Championship campaign under Parker in 2021/22.

He went on to score just three times in the 2022/23 season, and twice on loan with Leeds United in 2023/24. He’s up to three goals and a couple of assists so far in 2024/25, and he’ll hope to build on that now.