When Arsenal beat Liverpool 6-2 across two legs to lift the 2009 Youth FA Cup there was a lot of excitement.
The class of 92 looked destined for greatness but wit Jack Wilshere announcing he will leave the club at the end of the month it will mark the end of the promising generation.
Turkish-Football reported that Wilshere is nearing a move to Fenerbahce.
Wilshere is the last remaining player from the Youth FA Cup winning side in the Arsenal side.
Should the England midfielder join the Super Lig giants he would become the second player from the class of 92 to move to Turkey.
Arsenal class of 92
Jack Wilshere and Oguzhan Ozyakup were both born in 1992.
Wilshere joined the Gunners academy from Luton Town in 2001 while Ozyakup joined seven years later from AZ Alkmaar in 2008.
The future looked bright for both players who were key members of the Arsenal youth side – which also featured Francis Coquelin – that won the Premier Academy League and FA Youth Cup in 2008-09.
See More: The one Wenger let get away? From Arsenal to Besiktas – The Rise of Oguzhan Ozyakup
Wilshere was rewarded by former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and called up to the first team the following season.
Ozyakup meanwhile went onto win the Academy League for the second year running and captained the Netherlands at the UEFA European Under 17 Football Championship, reaching the final.
FourFourtTwo Turkey quoted Wenger as saying at the time: “Ozyakup is just 17 but he plays the football of a player far more experienced, we cannot afford to lose a player of this talent.”
Wilshere was loaned out to Bolton in January 2010 until the end of the season. The following campaign he made 49 appearances in all competitions.
The England midfielder began to establish himself as a first team player but Ozyakup was finding it more difficult to break into the senior side.
“It was heart breaking, I was told I would get a shot as he had such a heavy fixture list,” Ozyakup said.
“I was 18 and training with the first team, by that time everybody in the senior side knew me.
“I was making the squad for Champions League games but was given no minutes.
“I had a decision to make, whether to spend years on the bench or being sent out on loan or playing first team football and really developing.”
Ozyakup revealed that he was growing increasingly frustrated with not being given a chance and made the difficult choice of leaving Arsenal in pursuit of first-team football, a decision he does not regret.
“By the time I was 19 I had already played 35 games for Besiktas, I do not regret leaving, I would not be where I am today if I did not leave,” he added.
Considering Wenger even decided to give Emmanuel Frimpong playing time ahead of Ozyakup it is not surprising the Turkey international was feeling hard-done-by.
The 25-year-old has gone onto lift two Super Lig titles, star impressive Champions League and Europa League campaigns as well as become a regular call up for the Turkish national team.
