The club’s academy has been known for grooming good players but what does the future holds for current graduates from the Hale end at the Emirates.
The likes of Reis Nelson, Edward Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe, Joe Willock and Bukayo Saka are still looking to secure their future at the club.
Bukayo Saka
The England teenager became regular player Arsenal team before the postponement of matches and has put in some sensational performances.
Bukayo Saka appears on the left side of the Arsenal back four in the most of the matches played under new boss Mikel Arteta due to injuries to both Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac.
The 18year old has been impressive in all his outings this season for the gunners notching in three goals and nine assists from defense in his 30 appearances this season including as a substitute.
With the imminent return of matches, it is also expected that Tierney and Kolasinac will be fit to stake a claim on the spot. How would the teenager fare competing with the two natural left backs ?
Saka’s involvement in Arsenal matches has limited the influence of Granit Xhaka upfield. The swiss has been burdened with the responsibilities of having to cover for the winger whenever he is on the overlap and to support him defensively as Saka offers little to nothing in that aspect.
However with Tierney’s defensive and offensive showings in his few starts for the gunners, he will with ease replace the England winger in the starting lineup.
Speaking in an interview about the Scottish defender, Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta said: ” His attitude, his commitment, his willingness, it’s incredible.
” I think he’s going to bring something special to us. It [the injury] has been a shame but it’s part of his development. During your career, you go through this moments.”
As it looks, it seems Arteta is a big fan of the 22year old who has registered two assists in his 12 appearance for the gunners in his debut season.
Another option for Arsenal is Sead Kolasinac who joined the club on a free transfer from Schalke in the summer of 2017 but Bosnian has not been consistent in his performance for the club. However, he offers more in defense than Saka could.
Though Saka is a natural winger, he will have to compete for a place in the team with the likes of Nicolas Pepe and other wingers at the club if Arsenal did not add more natural wingers in the summer.
What chance stands the English sensation to continue his adventure at Arsenal when all the member of the squad is fit and in contention to be selected ?
Joe Willock
Apart from Saka, Joe Willock has been afforded more chance to impress but the 20year old has not been convincing enough, his performances can be summed be par for a like Arsenal.
Arsenal parade the likes of Granit Xhaka, Mesut Özil, Matteo Guendouzi, Lucas Torreira and Dani Ceballos (on loan) in midfield and are also linked with a move for Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey. Willock might have no option than to follow the footsteps of his brother Chris Willock by deserting the club he represents since his childhood.
Reis Nelson
Arteta have also tried testing the abilities of Reis Nelson but the highlight of the 20year old outings was his performance against Portsmouth in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
After the match at Fratton Park, Arteta hailed all the players and pointed out Nelson for praise. He said: “We have pace in a few players up front. Reiss [Nelson] is a special player and can eliminate players one on one. He’s been out for a while but he’s back now and he showed what he’s capable of doing.
If Arsenal add not another winger in the summer, it could prove the perfect opportunity for Nelson to become a regular in the Arsenal team. He’s got the willingness as Arteta has stressed and he’s got the potentials too.
Edward Nketiah
After been called back from his loan spell at Derby County in January, Nketiah has been given the chance to impress by Arteta.
He also started the match against Portsmouth and scored the first goal. Arteta said after the match: “He has been phenomenal,” The work rate that he puts in, the rhythm that he goes into pressing, his understanding of the game – when to come and when to go in behind – and always in front of goal, he is ready to score.”
But it is in uncertain if the London club can trust the 20year old to lead their attack in the future but as an ambitious club, it will not be expected of Arsenal.
Even as the unending speculations surrounding the future of strikers Pierre Emrick Aubameyang and Alexander Lacazette, should both players decide to quit the club, Arsenal might have to bring in a new striker instead of sticking with the former Chelsea academy player.
Emile Smith Rowe
In the summer of 2018, Emile Smith Rowe was promoted to the Arsenal first team by Unai Emery and the teenager has shown glimpses of his brilliance in his appearances since then but has suffered some injuries which limited him to just three Bundesliga appearances in his loan spell at RB Leipzig.
He returned to the Emirates in January 2020 and joined Championship side Huddersfield Town on loan for the reminder of the season.
It’s still too early to tell whether the 19year old will go on to secure a place in the Arsenal team.
Arsenal have also been building a team of youngsters having brought in the likes of Gabriel Martinelli 18, William Saliba 19, Kieran Tierney 22 Matteo Guendouzi 21, Nicolas Pepe 24 and Lucas Torreira 24 in the last two summers.
