Huddersfield Town boss Clark hails impact of Arsenal teenager

The striker, still only 17, made his Town debut from the bench against Sheffield Wednesday – just hours after arriving on a one-month loan deal from the Gunners.

His performance was so impressive that manager Clark is now likely to start with the youngster against Cambridge United this weekend in the FA Cup.

"We didn't want to hype him up when we signed him but he is a special player and he hyped himself up on Tuesday night," Clark admitted. "It looks like Arsenal have produced another gem."

Afobe has yet to taste senior football with Arsenal and had only signed his first professional contract towards the end of last season.

But with injuries and suspensions reducing Town's attacking options, Clark jumped at an opportunity to sign a player who may yet have a massive future in the game.

"He's another fantastic player from the Arsenal production line," said Clark. "I even thought about starting him but he had only met the other lads for the first time at 4.30 before the game.

"I wanted him to see how we played so he sat, watched, and learned. When he came on, he linked up with everyone. He played it simple when it was necessary, did his bits of magic when necessary, and looked a very mature player.

"For 17 years of age, it was an absolutely fantastic performance," Clark added. "He was outstanding at times, in terms of his runs, beating people, and getting shots on goal. He appreciated his team-mates and he can also look after himself, he can handle the physical side."

Clark revealed that the move had been set up via the healthy links that exist between the coaching staff at the two respective clubs.

"We got him because of the people we have around the club, the contacts we have in the game, and the reputation we are building up as a club," he said. "A club like Arsenal wouldn't want a player going to a club that doesn't play football in the right way.

"Terry McDermott (Town's assistant manager) is close to Liam Brady and Pat Rice (Arsenal coaches) and I have a bit of a relationship with Arsene Wenger through my time as a player and going to coaching seminars where I have listened and learned from him. They have looked at the situation, seen we are doing well, and thought this a good place for his football development."

Born in London, Afobe's parents had moved to Britain in the early Nineties to escape political unrest in the Congo. He joined the

Arsenal Academy at the age of six and became the youngest player in the club's history, at the age of 16, to play reserve team football.

Arsenal manager Wenger is a huge believer in the value of young players gaining first-team experience on loan with Football League clubs. A number of Yorkshire clubs, including Sheffield United (Kyle Bartley), Leeds United (Sanchez Watt) and Rotherham United (Mark Randall) are currently tapping into his youth policy.

Afobe played the final 26 minutes of Town's 2-0 victory at Hillsborough which maintained their grip on second place in the League One table.

He is likely to step up to the starting line-up against Cambridge because Joel Garner has not been granted permission to play by his parent club Nottingham Forest, Lee Novak is injured and Alan Lee is serving a three-game ban.

With five victories in the last six games, Clark has every reason to be delighted with his side's current form but is taking nothing for granted in the promotion race.

Although his celebrations were regarded by some at Hillsborough as over the top, Clark explained that he was paying tribute to his own club's travelling support. Just under 4,000 made the journey to South Yorkshire and several hundred were forced to miss the kick-off due to traffic congestion caused by rain and flash floods.

"I am a football fan myself so I appreciate it when we get turn outs like we do and the support we get week-in, week-out," he said. "We have not done anything yet and I am not getting excited – but I wanted to show my appreciation to them for fantastic support."

Ironically, Town had suffered three consecutive defeats in a week prior to the current run of form – prompting some supporters to question the club's promotion credentials.

Clark insists that he never doubted his players and has urged supporters to show the same faith over the coming months.

"I always knew we had the desire even when we had the bad week and lost three games on the bounce," he said. "They were actually three very good performances; we lost to a 94th-minute header down at Swindon, and I have never been involved in a game like we had at Rochdale where we lost 3-0 and absolutely battered them. It was the same at Bristol Rovers when we got done by a sucker punch in the 94th minute. We were the dominant team, looking to win the game but they scored a wonder goal. Overall, my players played very well in those three games and my belief never wavered in them. Since then, they have justified that.

"These lads are desperate to do well," he added. "They are hungry young professionals and the senior lads still have the hunger in their bellies as well. I wanted that, I didn't want players just coming here for a last pay day.