In an exclusive recently covered by Jeorge Bird, some of Arsenal’s schoolboys have already been offered scholarship deals with the remainder of them hoping they can earn a contract before the dreaded summer release period begins.

Among the least surprising is Trae Coyle and Tyreece John-Jules. The latter is a talented striker in his own right, having made his u16 England debut earlier on this campaign – but a lack of depth in the attacking department means it was always likely he’d be given a chance.

Edward Nketiah turns 18 in the summer and despite his fantastic goal-scoring spree at u18 level, he’ll be eager to establish himself as a regular in the u23 side next term, paving the way for a new striker to try and emulate the former Chelsea teenager’s efforts.

Coyle featured in the UEFA Youth League as a 15-year-old and showed flashes of brilliance to justify his inclusion, regardless of age down the flanks. He definitely has potential to breakthrough properly at some stage in 2017 and with the likes of Emile Smith-Rowe, Reiss Nelson and the aforementioned Nketiah still eligible for the competition next term, Trae will only get better with experience.

Scholarship deals have also been offered to the midfield trio of Xavier Amarchi, winger James Olayinka and Folarin Balogun.

Vontae Daley-Campbell and centre-back Mark McGuinness were also offered scholarship deals, just like Matthew Smith and Bayli Spencer-Adams.

In terms of the players who now have a nervous wait to see if they’ll be kept on: Daniel Barden, Shae Hutchinson, Joshua Dawodu, Harrison Clarke, Jordan Rusoke, Zak Swanson and Jayden Onen are all expecting some form of an update in the coming weeks.