The Arsenal academy made three signings in the 2018 summer window, let’s have a look at how each of them are getting on in their first seasons with the club.

Sam Greenwood

• Age: 17
• Position: Forward
• Signed from: Sunderland

Although Greenwood mostly played as a centre-forward in his last season with the Sunderland u18s, he’s played a variety of roles for Arsenal so far. With Folarin Balogun already established up front, Greenwood has often had to shift out wide, play as a second striker or even as an attacking midfielder to fit in.

Despite that fact, the youngster has had an excellent first campaign so far. In his first 17 games with his new team, Greenwood has scored six goals and provided five assists. A number of those were substitute appearances, so he’s actually managing one goal contribution every 100 minutes.

Greenwood is also thriving with the national team since his transfer, scoring seven goals in eight games for the England u17s.

Although he’s right-footed, the teenager can also finish chances confidently with his left, as you can see below:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsjHaB7D_fU/

However, one of the forward’s best attributes is his direct set-pieces, and he’s already scored a couple of free-kicks for Arsenal.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpxBSRNDITl/

Hopefully, the young striker can keep up his good form for the remainder of the season.

Click ‘Next’ to find out how Arsenal’s other two youth summer signings are getting on

Karl Hein

• Age: 16
• Position: Goalkeeper
• Signed from: Nomme United

Signed from the Estonian third-tier, it’s unlikely any Arsenal fans had heard of Hein before this season. He joined The Gunners on an initial scholarship contract until he turns 17 in April, at which point he’ll begin a three-year professional deal.

The young goalkeeper took a few months to get into the u18 starting eleven, as he’s been competing with the talented Arthur Okonkwo for a place, but since last October he’s played six matches for the side.

Just when he was starting to cement his spot in the team with some impressive performances, Hein fractured his hand, and he’s not expected to return until the end of next month.

Nonetheless, he’s still settled in very well so far, and a couple of months on the sidelines won’t do a great deal of harm to his fledgeling Arsenal career.

Click ‘Next’ to find out how Arsenal’s final youth summer signing is getting on

Joel Lopez

• Age: 16
• Position: Left-Back
• Signed from: FC Barcelona

Lopez is another very young signing who’s understandably being eased into the Arsenal youth teams slowly and steadily. Nonetheless, after a couple of months getting up to speed with the academy, he’s since made 12 appearances for the u18s.

The teenager is always positive and forward-thinking as a full-back, which is just what you expect from someone in that position for Barcelona or Arsenal. His best moment of the season was probably assisting The Gunners’ fifth goal against Tottenham Hotspur in a 5-2 victory to knock Spurs out of the FA Youth Cup.

https://twitter.com/ArsenalAcademy/status/1086236567432298502

The full-back has been compared to a young Hector Bellerin, largely because he came from the same club and plays a similar position. There are other similarities between the two, but Lopez needs to find a bit more consistency in his game to try and match his compatriot. Given his age, that should come in the next few seasons.