20 YEAR-OLD first-year professional at Arsenal, Nicky Nicolau, was first signed on 2004 transfer deadline day on loan until the end of the 2003/4 campaign, and dedicated himself permanently at the end of that season...
http://pictures.footymad.net/upload/480/149948-3.JPG Profile: Nicolau is an extremely talented and exciting prospect, although the hopes of the Shrimpers attaining his services permanently laid firmly in the hands of Arsene Wenger at Highbury when he arrived on loan from the Gunners. Fourth choice on the list in North London behind Ashley Cole, Gael Clichy and Juan for the left-back position, the Camden Town-born youngster decided on a future in southeast Essex, after a nine-match loan spell at the end of the 2003/4 campaign.
In the true style of an Arsenal full-back, though, he has proved to be more effective going forwards than he is at defending, when his positional sense often leaves him lacking. During the final months of the 2004/5 campaign, manager Steve Tilson decided to use Nicolau as a wide-left player, and he responded with a man-of-the-match display in the 1-0 Play-Off semi-final win over Northampton Town at Roots Hall. He kept his spot for the final, and promptly asked for a better contract than had been on offer for 2005/6.
