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.
4Bukayo Saka
- Age: 17
- Position: Left Winger
- Youth appearances (2018/19): 15
- Youth goals (2018/19): 4
- Youth assists (2018/19): 7
Last week Joe Willock called Saka “one of the most talented players we have in the team”, and he’s not wrong. In 875 minutes for the youth teams this season, the 17-year-old has contributed to 11 goals, that’s one every 79.5 minutes.
This is the winger’s first proper campaign as a regular for the u23s, and he’s taking the chance with both hands. Most recently, he scored against Chelsea in the Premier League 2 and set up two goals against Forest Green Rovers in the EFL Trophy. If you haven’t watched Arsenal’s compilation of that performance, it’s worth checking out:
https://twitter.com/ArsenalAcademy/status/1060592795579166720
Saka is exactly the sort of player the first team are looking for, a fast and skilful dribbler who can play a cross or killer pass but can also score goals when called upon. The only thing holding him back is his age and inexperience at the top levels.
Of course, you can’t ignore experience as a factor. If Saka hasn’t even played regularly against u23s before this year, throwing him into senior games would probably be too great a risk at this stage. However, if he keeps playing the way he is, and Arsenal get a favourable FA Cup draw in January, he may well find himself in the squad.
Click ‘Next’ for the other academy stars set for first-team minutes this season