Arsenal u23s

Fresh after receiving a call-up to join the Algeria squad ahead of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Gabon, here is a profile of the 19-year-old midfielder and why you should keep an eye on him in future.

Given the harsh, finite realities of professional football at the highest level, it’s becoming increasingly hard for youngsters to breakthrough the ranks at top clubs from academy level, especially between the ages of 17-21.

Having prevailed with a slender 2-1 win over Derby County this past Friday afternoon, Arsenal’s u23 side moved up a place into fifth in the Division 1 league table.

Injuries are a common occurrence in a physical sport such as football and can seriously hamper development at youth level, something that right-back Jordi Osei-Tutu is thankful to not have experience of.

Chuba Akpom started and played the first-half of Arsenal u23s’ 2-1 victory over bottom side Derby County on Friday.

Arsenal have exercised the option to recall 19-year-old goalkeeper Ryan Huddart from his loan spell at Eastleigh.

Edward Nketiah scored his fourth goal at u23 level to secure a slender but deserved victory for the Young Guns, as they returned to winning ways after a 3-2 away defeat against Liverpool in the second week of December.

Considering the confusion and surprise that his move had on many when announced in January two years ago now, it’s clear to see that Krystian Bielik has progressed well under the radar in Arsenal’s youth ranks since his £2.7m move.

2016 has been a memorable year for Arsenal’s youth teams but who have been the real standouts?

Stephy Mavididi netted a brace but Arsenal u23s were unable to take any points against a strong Liverpool side, which included the likes of defensive duo Mamadou Sakho and Joe Gomez, as well as Sheyi Ojo and highly rated forward, Harry Wilson.

Given a professional contract to celebrate his 17th birthday, it’s fair to say that talented winger, Reiss Nelson, has earned praise and rave reviews alike for an excellent 2016.

A well-taken hat-trick from Edward Nketiah was more than enough for Arsenal u23s to prevail with a comfortable 3-0 home win against Leicester on Monday evening.

According to a recent report in Algeria, a whole host of clubs across three European countries are interested in signing Arsenal’s talented central midfielder Ismael Bennacer on a possible loan deal.

A look at Gedion Zelalem’s season so far

Unlike the first-team side before the international break, Steve Gatting’s u23 side were victorious over their north London counterparts in an impressive manner away from home.

Goals from Reiss Nelson, Kaylen Hinds, Chris Willock and a Stephy Mavididi penalty were more than enough to sink an overwhelmed Sunderland side as Arsenal’s crop of u23 players returned to winning ways after a frustrating defeat away in Manchester on Monday.

Carl Jenkinson started and played just under 70 minutes in the u23s’ goalless draw at home against Southampton on Friday evening.

It was a hard-fought goalless draw for Arsenal’s u23 side as they were effectively stifled by a high-quality Southampton team at Meadow Park.

Every week, at least one or twice, we feature loan reports on the site and it seems that this season, our players are finding it hard to get minutes under their belts.

Arsenal’s u23 side bounced back to winning ways in impressive style at Stamford Bridge on Friday evening, with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Adi Viveash’s side.