Now that we’ve reached 2018, let’s take a look back at the top-three standout Arsenal youth prospects of the year just gone.

2017 was generally a good year for the Arsenal academy.

Graduates like Alex Iwobi, Jack Wilshere and Hector Bellerin are all now first-team regulars. In fact, Arsenal gave more minutes to academy players than anyone in the top two divisions. As well as that, many more youngsters took advantage of the Europa League matches and the League Cup run to make their debuts.

Here are our top-three:

 

2Reiss Nelson

Reiss Nelson (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Reiss Nelson celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League 2 match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Meadow Park on August 25, 2017 (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Nelson earned a lot of first-team chances this year, even if they weren’t always in the position he wants to play.

The youngster turned 18 in December, and before had already made eight competitive senior appearances for Arsenal. He made one more his birthday as well, bringing him to nine for the season so far.

The London-born academy graduate never looked out of place, and showed a lot of confidence taking players on. Thanks to his position at wing-back, he hasn’t managed to show his full attacking potential just yet.

With the academy, Nelson has six goals in six games in 2017/18. He also scored seven in 11 in the first half of the year, and assisted another five.

Other than an assist for Olivier Giroud in pre-season, the youngster hasn’t managed to score or assist with the first team just yet, but you’d imagine it’s only a matter of time.

Wenger has called on Nelson at some stage in every Europa League game this season, so if he doesn’t end up moving on loan, you’d expect the same again when the Gunners begin the knockout stages against Östersunds FK in February.

Either way, Reiss had a fantastic 2017 and he’ll be one to watch in the New Year.