Arsenal fans in the Transfer Tavern have been left rather unimpressed by the Gunners this season, as they brace themselves for a likely absence from Champions League involvement next term.
Arsene Wenger’s side could still sneak into the top-four but require a massive helping hand from Middlesbrough or Watford and the likelihood is the North London giants will have to settle for a Europa League spot.
A major rebuild is set for the Gunners during the close season and their could be a flurry of transfer activity bringing players in and out of the Emirates Stadium- but our landlord has urged Arsenal to take a look at their youth ranks.
Arsenal have prided themselves in the development of young players during Wenger’s long tenure in North London and they have capable players behind the scenes ready to step-up, following in the footsteps of Alex Iwobi and Hector Bellerin in recent years.
With the help of the punters in the bar, the landlord has scribbled down two names he believes will be looking to excel during pre-season and bolster their chances of becoming first-team regulars.
Jeff Reine-Adelaide
The 19-year-old Frenchman has earned opportunities in the domestic cup competitions this season and is highly-rated for the future. With speculation surrounding the future of midfield aces like Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Reine-Adelaide may have the chance to impress in the first-team.
This summer won’t be the first where Reine-Adelaide has played a part in pre-season but he’ll be looking to follow in the footsteps of Alex Iwobi, who impressed in the close-season last term and ended up being an established member of Arsenal’s first-team this season.
Chuba Akpom
Like Reine-Adelaide, Chuba Akpom has featured, and impressed, in pre-seasons in the past but now it’s time for him to make an impression, or he could follow in the footsteps of Benik Afobe- having impressed in North London but failing to establish himself in the North London outfit’s ranks.
Now 21, and turning 22 in October, this is Akpom’s last chance to seal a future for himself at the Emirates Stadium and the odds are certainly stacked against him after numerous loan spells where the young Englishman has struggled to impress.
