Arsenal have always prided themselves on the products of their youth system.
Amongst those who have graduated through their ranks is LA Galaxy left back Ashley Cole, England’s Jack Wilshere, Johan Djourou and of course Cesc Fabregas.
Many of their youngsters have gone on to big things in the footballing world, others have enjoyed reasonable success and some – however it must be said not many – failed to fulfil their potential.
Although in recent years, the number of Arsenal’s academy graduates who have gone on to have an impact in the first team has dwindled. The last player to really go on to have a major impact is Wilshere himself, who is now a regular in the first team (when not injured) following his debut back in 2008.
Arsene Wenger more often than not in the past few campaign’s looked to pastures greener for his younger players. Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were both products of the Southampton youth academy, as was Luke Chambers who is still yet to make his mark at the Emirates. Aaron Ramsey came from Cardiff City, and Hector Bellerin made the switch from Barcelona.
The emergence of Alex Iwobi last season – who made a total of 21 appearances and scored 2 goals – was encouraging, and may signal the start of a new generation of Arsenal’s youngsters who will be soon to progress into Arsene Wenger’s squad.
Our Arsenal fans at the Tavern have given their three ‘stars to watch’ that Wenger cannot afford to miss out on giving the opportunity to impress next season …
Hit Wenger below to see THREE youngsters Arsenal have to utilise next year!
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Alex Iwobi
A man on the lips of almost every Arsenal fan, Iwobi burst onto the scene in fine fashion last campaign as he scored two goals in his first two Premier League starts against both Everton and Watford to help Arsenal secure two important victories.
Iwobi had already made some impressive cameos in both the League Cup and in the Gunner’s 3-1 defeat to Barcelona in the Champion’s League. The Nigerian is positive with the ball at his feet and is more than happy to run at defenders, knowing his pace and power makes it difficult to stop him.
The academy graduate looks more than comfortable in Arsenal’s starting line-up already, and at only 19 years of age, will only continue to get better. Expect to see much more of Iwobi this coming season.
Chuba Akpom
Akpom has been at Arsenal since he was only 6-years-old, but despite making a few first team appearances, has spent most of his senior Gunner’s career out on loan.
Brief spells at Brentford, Coventry City and Nottingham Forrest – where the youngster was granted limited playing time – have bee followed with a successful season spent at Hull City.
The England U-21 International scored 7 times last campaign, including his first senior hat-trick back in January away at Bury in the FA Cup. Akpom has also scored regularly at international level, having bagged 21 times combined at youth level for England.
Arsene Wenger has assured the striker of more playing time at the Emirates next season following his eye catching time at the Tigers.
Gedion Zelalem
It has been a tough season for Zelalem, who spent the previous campaign on-loan at Rangers. Despite his bright start, the Arsenal loanee lost his starting place around the mid-point of the season and failed to regain it, meaning he spent plenty of time warming the bench towards the season’s end.
Dubbed the USA’s ‘next big thing’, the young midfielder does show promise however, yet lacks the confidence to produce a final product – whether it be goals or assists – in the final third.
Arsene Wenger is determined to get the best out of the USA U-20 international, and has told him that he will have to compete to prove his worthiness in pre-season if he is to make his impact next season. Talented, but with plenty of room to improve.
