Arsenal have a never-ending conveyer belt of youth talent in their ranks, with many of the players within the u21 and u18 squads impressing recently.
With that in mind, they have plenty of schoolboys who’ll be fighting for professional contracts next summer.
Time for perspective
The majority of our more talented youngsters are attack-minded. Over the past few years, only Hector Bellerín has firmly asserted his claim for a regular first-team place within the Gunners’ backline from the club’s youth ranks, which is a worrying sign considering the amount of players whose potential proves only that.
Daniel Boateng, Kyle Bartley, Ignasi Miguel, Semi Ajayi and Nico Yennaris are all players who were tipped to break into the first team. None of them did that and are now scattered across Europe at various clubs.
This should serve as a timely reminder to those currently contracted to the club, that potential is often wasted and they should grab their opportunity with both hands to have any chance of success at the Emirates. After all, Bellerín shone in the Emirates Cup and with a few injury worries, impressed enough to force his way into Arsène Wenger’s immediate plans.
Joao Virgínia
Starting with a goalkeeper, 16-year-old Joao completed his move to England from Benfica in July. He was heavily linked with a switch to Premier League rivals Manchester United before penning a long-term deal with our youth side, and it’s easy to see why he is so highly-regarded.
Having already represented his native Portugal five times at u16 and u17 level, he regularly trains with the u18 squad and is the back-up option for Hugo Keto at that level in Frans de Kat’s side.
Standing at a large six-foot-two-inches, he’s certainly got a commanding frame on his young shoulders, and dominates his area too. Known for his quick reflexes and impressive shot-stopping ability, he’s certainly a talented goalkeeper and it’d be a surprise not to see him feature more often in the not-too-distant future.
Reiss Nelson
Moving further up field, Reiss is a highly-rated winger who uses flair and his quick feet to torment defenders with seeming ease.
Unsurprisingly then, he has already earned himself a highlight reel of skills, flicks and tricks that he has performed over the past few months, which are easy on the eye and reiterate just how much of a handful he is to defend against.
Of course, flair and trickery is not everything. In the final third, Reiss uses that to his advantage, but has also proven an impressive knack for goalscoring, as he can operate in a central attacking role just behind the striker.
Having turned 16 earlier in the week, he has already made an impression in the UEFA Youth League this term and continues his development on the international stage too with England in his final year before the possibility of signing a scholarship deal arises next summer.
Emile Smith-Rowe
Last but not least, another attack-minded player in Emile.
The left-sided midfielder, who often features on the wing, does not turn 16 until late July. Despite his youth though, he has proven age is just a number having made his England u16 debut earlier in the year.
And if you’ve been paying close attention to news in the past few days, you’ll know that Barcelona scouts were sent to watch the starlet in the US last week.
Featuring against Brazil and Netherlands in a Nike tournament with the u16 squad last week, the winger has a refreshing tendency to drive forward past opponents, as though they are not there.
He loves the ball at his feet, dribbling and finishing are his two main strengths, and the youngster can play in a more forward role if required.
The youngest player in the UEFA Youth League squad this term, he has already made his u18 debut in a fixture against Newcastle last season.
A prized asset that we’d understandably want to keep in the ranks, you’d expect he’d get more of a chance to showcase his abilities in 2016.
All the signs are pointing to a bright future for Emile, as long as he consistently delivers performances, especially given the depth in quality of attacking players contracted to the club at the moment.