Craig Eastmond
Encyclopedia
Craig Leon Eastmond is an English
footballer who plays for Arsenal
. A product of Arsenal Academy
who came to prominence during 2008–09 FA Youth Cup
, he can play as either a defensive midfielder
or right back
. Craig is cousin of Kyle Eastmond
, who is a centre who currently plays for Bath
.
, London
, Eastmond started at Millwall
, but joined Arsenal
when he was 11 years old. He was part of the team that won the FA Youth Cup
in 2009. On 30 June 2009, it was announced that Eastmond along with three other members of the double-winning youth squad have signed professional terms.
against Liverpool
, and helped set up Arsenal's first goal in their 2–1 victory.
Eastmond made his Premier League
debut against Portsmouth, as a 85th minute substitute in a 4–1 Arsenal away victory on 30 December 2009. Craig was handed his first Premier League start away to Bolton
, alongside Cesc Fabregas
and Abou Diaby
in midfield on 17 January 2010 putting in a solid performance as the Gunners ran out 2–0 winners, with Eastmond being replaced by Fran Mérida
after 62 minutes. On 24 January 2010, he made his FA Cup debut for the Gunners against Stoke City. He also played some part of the game as a right back after Francis Coquelin
was substituted.
Eastmond signed a new long-term contract extension with Arsenal on 13 January 2010.
. However, long-term injury to Frimpong saw Eastmond re-emerge in the Arsenal squad. His first appearance in the season came in the League Cup
game against Newcastle United
, which Arsenal won 4–0. Eastmond struggled in the first half but put in a good performance in the second half and played the full 90 minutes.
In light of injuries to Alex Song and Denílson
, Craig Eastmond was handed his European debut away to Shakhtar Donetsk
. He struggled during the game and failed to cover Dmytro Chygrynskiy during a set-piece. Chygrynskiy headed the ball towards the net but Eastmond got in the way of it, which in turn led to his own goal. He was substituted in 58th minute for Carlos Vela
.
until the end of the 2010–11 season. He made his Millwall debut in the 2–0 home victory against Barnsley on 28 January 2011, playing 77 minutes before being substituted. On 29 April 2011, it was announced that Eastmond had broken his ankle during a training session at Millwall and is set for a lengthy spell out.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
footballer who plays for Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
. A product of Arsenal Academy
Arsenal F.C. Academy
Arsenal Football Club Academy are the youth team of Arsenal Football Club. They currently play in the FA Premier Academy League, the highest level of youth football in England...
who came to prominence during 2008–09 FA Youth Cup
FA Youth Cup
The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
, he can play as either a defensive midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
or right back
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
. Craig is cousin of Kyle Eastmond
Kyle Eastmond
Kyle Eastmond is a professional rugby union footballer who currently plays for Bath, and has played for St. Helens in Super League and internationally for England. Eastmond has been compared to Australian international Scott Prince, because of his darting runs to the line and a good kicking game....
, who is a centre who currently plays for Bath
Bath Rugby
Bath Rugby is an English professional rugby union club that is based in the city of Bath. They play in the Aviva Premiership league...
.
Club career
Born in WandsworthWandsworth
Wandsworth is a district of south London, England, in the London Borough of Wandsworth. It is situated southwest of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-Toponymy:...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Eastmond started at Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
, but joined Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
when he was 11 years old. He was part of the team that won the FA Youth Cup
FA Youth Cup
The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
in 2009. On 30 June 2009, it was announced that Eastmond along with three other members of the double-winning youth squad have signed professional terms.
2009–10 season
Craig made his first team debut on 28 October 2009 in the League CupFootball League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
against Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
, and helped set up Arsenal's first goal in their 2–1 victory.
Eastmond made his Premier League
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
debut against Portsmouth, as a 85th minute substitute in a 4–1 Arsenal away victory on 30 December 2009. Craig was handed his first Premier League start away to Bolton
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
, alongside Cesc Fabregas
Cesc Fàbregas
Francesc "Cesc" Fàbregas i Soler is a Spanish footballer who plays as a central midfielder for La Liga club FC Barcelona.Fàbregas started his career as a trainee with Barcelona but was signed by Premier League side Arsenal in September 2003 at the age of 16...
and Abou Diaby
Abou Diaby
Vassiriki Abou Diaby , commonly known as Abou Diaby, is a French footballer who plays for English club Arsenal in the Premier League and the France national team...
in midfield on 17 January 2010 putting in a solid performance as the Gunners ran out 2–0 winners, with Eastmond being replaced by Fran Mérida
Fran Mérida
Francisco "Fran" Mérida Pérez is a Spanish footballer who plays for Braga on a loan from Atlético Madrid as a midfielder.-Playing style:...
after 62 minutes. On 24 January 2010, he made his FA Cup debut for the Gunners against Stoke City. He also played some part of the game as a right back after Francis Coquelin
Francis Coquelin
Francis Coquelin is a French football player who currently plays for English club Arsenal. He plays as a defensive midfielder, but can also be utilized at right midfield or at right back...
was substituted.
Eastmond signed a new long-term contract extension with Arsenal on 13 January 2010.
2010–11 season
Eastmond was not included in Arsenal's pre-season plans, losing his place to Emmanuel FrimpongEmmanuel Frimpong
Emmanuel Yaw Frimpong is a Ghanaian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Arsenal. Although Frimpong has represented England at youth level, he has pledged his international future to his country of birth Ghana...
. However, long-term injury to Frimpong saw Eastmond re-emerge in the Arsenal squad. His first appearance in the season came in the League Cup
League Cup
In association football, a League Cup or Secondary Cup generally signifies a cup competition for which entry is restricted only to teams in a particular league. The first national association football tournament to be called "League Cup" was held in Scotland in 1946/47 and was entitled the Scottish...
game against Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
, which Arsenal won 4–0. Eastmond struggled in the first half but put in a good performance in the second half and played the full 90 minutes.
In light of injuries to Alex Song and Denílson
Denílson Pereira Neves
Denílson Pereira Neves is a Brazilian footballer who plays for São Paulo as a midfielder, on loan from Arsenal. He is the former captain of the Brazil national under-17 team.-Early life:...
, Craig Eastmond was handed his European debut away to Shakhtar Donetsk
FC Shakhtar Donetsk
FC Shakhtar Donetsk is a Ukrainian professional football club from the city of Donetsk. Shakhtar has appeared in several European competitions and currently is often a participant of the UEFA Champions League. The club became the first Ukrainian club to win the UEFA Cup in 2009, the last year...
. He struggled during the game and failed to cover Dmytro Chygrynskiy during a set-piece. Chygrynskiy headed the ball towards the net but Eastmond got in the way of it, which in turn led to his own goal. He was substituted in 58th minute for Carlos Vela
Carlos Vela
Carlos Alberto Vela Garrido is a Mexican association football player, currently playing as a striker for La Liga club Real Sociedad on loan from Arsenal. He also plays for the Mexico national football team. He started his career at Mexican club C.D...
.
Millwall loan
Eastmond returned to his first club Millwall on the 25 January 2011, almost 10 years after he left the club as a youth. He stayed on loan with the Lions in the Football League ChampionshipFootball League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
until the end of the 2010–11 season. He made his Millwall debut in the 2–0 home victory against Barnsley on 28 January 2011, playing 77 minutes before being substituted. On 29 April 2011, it was announced that Eastmond had broken his ankle during a training session at Millwall and is set for a lengthy spell out.
Career statistics
- Statistics accurate as of 22 May 2011
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Arsenal Arsenal F.C.Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...2009–10 4 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 2010–11 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 Millwall F.C. Millwall F.C.Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
(loan)2010–11 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 Career total 10 0 0 1 0 0 4 0 0 1 0 0 16 0 0
Honours
Arsenal Reserves- Premier Academy LeaguePremier Academy LeagueThe Premier Academy League is the top level of youth football in England. It is contested between the Academy sides of The Premier League and some Football League clubs, including Welsh side Cardiff City...
(1): 2008–09 - FA Youth CupFA Youth CupThe Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
(1): 2008–09
External links
- Profile at Arsenal.com