Bould - Loan spell made Bartley a man

[ian1964 10,688]

Kyle Bartley's last spell at Rangers made a man of him, according to Under-18s coach Steve Bould.

 

The 20-year-old recently signed a new contract at Arsenal but he is back in Glasgow for a season-long loan after helping the Scottish giants secure a League and Cup ââ?¬Ë?doubleââ?¬â?¢ last term.

 

Former Gunner Bould has played an influential role in Bartley's development since he joined the Club four years ago and he noticed a marked change in the young defender when he briefly returned to London Colney this summer.


 

"I have to say he looks like a man, a young man walking through the door," Bould told Arsenal.com. "Previously he looked like a young kid with potential who was growing into a man�s body. Now he carries himself like a man, when you talk him as well, and that�s a fantastic experience he�s had.

 

"Rangers is a big, big club to play for, there�s a lot of pressure there. We think we�re in a fish bowl down in London but with the Glaswegian environment it�s pressure every day and he has handled it very well. The management have spoken very highly of him up there and it was a terrific experience for him last season.

 

"I think he has always had lots of potential but now he looks like he believes it himself. He carries himself like a man, not arrogantly, but as if he believes he should be at the top level. That�s the biggest thing he�s gained I think.�

 

Bartley made his Arsenal first-team debut at the age of 18, completing 90 minutes in a Champions League group game at Olympiacos in December 2009. Bould knows a thing or two about defending at the highest level after winning three titles at Highbury and he believes the Manchester-born defender will soon be ready to handle the pressure of the Premier League.

 

"I think in terms of pressure, he will soon be ready for that without a shadow of doubt," said Bould. 


 

"Maybe the level of football is not quite as high as the Premier League but as far as handling the day-to-day pressure and being scrutinised, being at Rangers is very similar to playing at a club like Arsenal. It might be even more intense but heââ?¬â?¢s handled that, thatââ?¬â?¢s the major thing heââ?¬â?¢s got out of it. Now he needs to take his next opportunity when he does get a chance in the Premier League.


 

"I think with hindsight, going out on loan has been great for him. He can play, he�s a big lad and I think when you�re that big people perceive you as a bit of a stopper and he isn�t just that. Kyle has got every chance of making a big career for himself."

 

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