Reiss Nelson, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Josh Dasilva all featured for Arsenal against Doncaster Rovers on Wednesday so how excited should we be about this latest crop of youngsters judging by their performances?

Reiss Nelson made his first competitive start against Donny after previously playing just seven minutes in the Europa League against FC Cologne.

The 17-year-old impressed in pre-season and fans have understandably hyped the winger up non-stop ever since.

Nelson’s display against the Rovers was pretty flat but admittedly he was played in the wrong position: wing-back.

The teenager has scored six goals in five appearances in Premier League 2 this season and Thierry Henry spoke at length about him in his column for the Sun this week.

The Arsenal legend has high hopes for Nelson and just because he was played in a more defensive role in the League Cup, preventing him from truly shining, I think fans have every right to be excited about him.

reiss nelson v donny
Arsenal’s English midfielder Reiss Nelson (R) has an unsuccessful shot during the English League Cup third round football match between Arsenal and Doncaster Rovers at The Emirates Stadium in London on September 20, 2017. (BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)

Ainsley Maitland-Niles also started against Donny but this wasn’t the 20-year-old’s first chance to show what he can do for the Gunners’ first team. In fact, it was his 12th appearance. However, it was only the second time he’s completed 90 minutes; the other time was against Cologne in the Europa League last week.

While the midfielder was a little sloppy in pre-season, with many criticising his heavy touch, against Doncaster he was pretty solid.

Maitland-Niles was also played as a wing-back on the night but he appeared to take to the role a little better than Nelson.

ainsley maitland niles v doncaster
Doncaster Rovers’ English midfielder Matty Blair (L) runs away from Arsenal’s English midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles during the English League Cup third round football match between Arsenal and Doncaster Rovers at The Emirates Stadium in London on September 20, 2017. (BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)

It was his work rate that impressed fans – he never stopped running and saved Arsenal’s skin in the 59th minute when he had to bust a gut to deny Alfie May his second opportunity of the game following a mistake from the Gunners.

Josh Dasilva is perhaps lesser known that Nelson and Maitland-Niles and the 18-year-old appeared to be slightly more out of his depth against Donny.

The midfielder came on at half-time after Calum Chambers limped off and at first looked uncomfortable, which is understandable considering this was his first proper appearance for Arsenal’s first team.

He looked a bit more comfortable later on in the game but still has a fair way to go.