As our Arsenal fans here in the Transfer Tavern reach the final stretch of what has been a tough Premier League season for them, the Gunners find themselves in an unusual position.

Out of the top four race, 13 points behind local rivals Tottenham Hotspur in fourth, our regulars know that the Gunners must look to the Europa League as their only hope of qualifying for next season’s Champions League, much like Man United did last season. They have – despite almost suffering a second leg collapse to CSKA Moscow in the quarter-finals – ensured a semi-final place, but there are still some big teams in their way, should they hope to win the competition.

Sitting fairly comfortably in sixth in the Premier League with many of the remaining fixtures they would hope and expect to win, now could be the time for Arsene Wenger to start planning for life after him at the Emirates.

Although Arsenal have wilted in recent times, these last six fixtures would be a good opportunity to plan for next season by blooding some of their young players, and our bar staff are in full agreement. Indeed Wenger has some exciting prospects at hand and our landlord has picked TWO of the most exciting Arsenal youth players you will know all about very soon…

Joe Willock

Joe Willock has been given some chances in Arsenal’s cup competitions this season– to mixed results. A late substitute against Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup third round, Willock would go on to start in the group game against BATE Borisov in the Europa League just a week later.

However, the 18-year-old struggled on his last start, in the 4-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup.

In the reserves, Willock has been a creative spark for the Arsenal U23’s in the Premier League 2, assisting five goals in 11 games including a hat-trick of assists back in February. He’s a player who surely has the talent and already had a taste of first-team action, which he will be wanting more of, that’s for sure.

Eddie Nketiah

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53TKFBxVXDQ

Another young member of the Arsenal squad to have gained some experience in the cup competitions, Nketiah quickly won the affection of the Gooner fans after scoring both goals in a 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Norwich City. However, in the Premier League, he hasn’t fared so well, managing just seven minutes as a late sub against Brighton.

This comes despite the youngster’s impressive record in the Premier League 2 this season, scoring 10 goals and recording two assists in 12 games.

Indeed, the teenager could be given more time from the bench which, in the past, he has shown he can make the most of, especially with nothing but pride to play for in the league.