Arsenal are blessed with a very strong youth setup right now, and it seems only a matter of time before some of the youngsters make the step up to the senior squad.
A couple of members of the Arsenal academy have already managed to get first-team opportunities under Unai Emery this campaign. Julio Pleguezuelo started against Blackpool in the League Cup, whilst Emile Smith Rowe has become a regular in the cup and the Europa League, as well as making the Premier League bench a few times.
However, the Premier League 2 champions of last season have plenty more to offer the senior side if Emery wants to draw on them. Let’s have a look at the top five candidates for chances this season.
3Zech Medley
- Age: 18
- Position: Centre-back
- Youth appearances (2018/19): 7
To round out the trio of youth players to get into the first-team squad without making an appearance on the pitch, we have Zech Medley, who Unai Emery selected for the squad to face Leicester City last month. Captain of the u18s at the start of last season, Medley is making a rapid rise to the first team, becoming a key player for the u23s on the way.
The defender appeared in 13 of Arsenal’s 22 Premier League 2 matches last season on the way to the title and, this season, he’s helped the Gunners keep clean sheets against Blackburn and Liverpool u23s, as well as the Coventry City senior team.
The 6’4″ centre-back has clearly caught his manager’s eye in training, considering he got the first-team squad call-up ahead of a number of other strong defensive options in the academy.
You’d think he could be given a chance in the final Europa League group stage games, if Arsenal are looking to rest players ahead of the North London derby on December 2nd, for example.
However, unfortunately, he’s ineligible, having spent less than two years at the club and not making Arsenal’s A-list squad. The FA Cup looks like his next best chance.
Click ‘Next’ for the other academy stars set for first-team minutes this season