It’s been a difficult season for the Arsenal fans in the Transfer Tavern to digest, after promising displays turned into lacklustre performances and ultimately led to another trophy-less season for Arsenal, and there’s real concerns about the future.
With Arsene Wenger, and a wealth of the squad, facing intense scrutiny surrounding their futures, there is every chance they’ll be some major changes taking place this summer and, with a lot of competition in the league, mistakes could see Arsenal fall behind.
Whilst the make-up of the first-team may change, along with the staff behind the scenes, Arsenal will still boast a strong young contingent and, given the poor performances this term, there’s every chance for these players to step forward next term.
Here, we’ve identified five players who Arsenal should give a first-team chance too after they’ve risen through the academy ranks in north London, just like this season’s breakthrough star Alex Iwobi.
Hit Iwobi below to see FIVE players who could follow his rise into the first-team!
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Chuba Akpom
Young Chuba Akpom has been with Arsenal since the age of six and has enjoyed limited first-team opportunities in recent years. Now, at the age of 20, there’s hope that the England youth international can build upon successful loan spells elsewhere and come into the first-team squad.
Currently with Hull City, where he’s played 35 Championship matches, the striker could earn promotion to the Premier League. Whatever the scenario, a failure to break into the first-team next season could spark the end of his long association with the Gunners, in similar fashion to what happened with Benik Afobe.
Jon Toral
Another serial loanee within Arsenal’s youth ranks, Jon Toral arrived in north London alongside a certain Hector Bellerin. Whilst the promising right-back excels in the first-team, Toral has been making his name in the lower leagues.
Now 21, and on the back of a successful stint with Birmingham City in the Championship, Toral is another who needs first-team assurances to stay with Arsenal. He’s yet to make a first-team appearance for the Gunners and, with their strong midfield ranks, it may be a case of now or never for the young Spaniard.
Gedion Zelalem
One player who has enjoyed first-team opportunities in the past, before injury issues put him out of action for a long-time, is United States youth prospect Gedion Zelalem. The German-born midfielder, just 19, has played in both the FA Cup and Champions League already for Arsenal.
That was back in 2014 though and, since then, Zelalem has been absent from the first-team frame, although many expect him to shine next year after impressing north of the border with Rangers.
One of the youngest of our selections, there’s plenty of time for Zelalem to breakthrough but another year out of the first-team frame may raise questions as to what has happened with the player’s development, considering he was on the fringes of the first-team two years ago.
Julio Pleguezuelo
The 19-year-old versatile defender is the captain of Arsenal’s youth side and many expect him to follow fellow Spaniard Hector Bellerin into the first-team set-up, particularly with the Gunners depleted options in defence.
Pleguezuelo is capable of playing at centre-back, as well as across the defensive line and in a deep midfield role. His versatility will appeal to the Gunners, especially as they lack options in the right-back area and on the left.
Like Zelalem, it’s not the be and end all if Pleguezuelo fails to breakthrough next year but it would be exciting for the fans to see.
Jeff Reine-Adelaide
Named amongst Arsenal’s first-team squad this season, Frenchman Jeff Reine-Adelaide shone at the pre-season Emirates Cup but has earned few opportunities since. He’s played twice in the FA Cup this season, and has impressed, so fans will be hoping to see him breakthrough properly next seasn.
Just 18-years-old, Reine-Adelaide is one of the most highly-rated prospects within Arsenal’s youth squad and, with Arsenal’s attacking line struggling, he could prove to be a vital assert next season- although his preferred number 10 role would take some getting into, due to Mesut Ozil.
