Alex Iwobi is our latest young player to breakthrough the ranks at Arsenal, and he has named the players he can see making the jump next.
The Nigerian broke through into the Gunners first-team last season, but after a switch in formation, Iwobi has found himself out of Arsene Wenger’s plans.
The midfielder has now come out to tip who he thinks will be the next name to emerge through the ranks and make a mark for the senior side.
“Eddie Nketiah is someone who just finds the goal,” he told Arsenal Player. “I don’t know how, but some people have that instinct just to get the ball and put it in the net with probably just one chance in the game.
“He’s somebody who’s able to find the goal, not just for Arsenal but for England as well. He scored a hat-trick for them so he’s definitely one for the future.
“Reiss [Nelson] is able to pick up the ball and take it from our defence all the way to the opposition’s last third. He’s definitely one to watch.
“He’s able to dribble the ball, he’s got ball control, he can finish and he’s also quick as well. He’s got lots of things going well for him. When he trains with us, he trains very well and he’s definitely one for the future.
“I’ve seen Ben [Sheaf] play centre-mid and centre back and he looks very comfortable. No matter what position he gets asked to play, he always does his best and he always does well.
“He’s so comfortable, not just with his right foot but his left foot as well.”
Nketiah has scored 22 goals for the Gunners youth sides this term, and at only 17 stands out as an exciting prospect for me, but only time will tell whether these youngsters can become stars.
Can any of these players make the jump up to the first-team? Would a Wenger exit hamper progression from the ranks?
Pat J
Good win on the weekend but I still think we will get Europa next season and Wenger will stay on. In saying that, I hope Wenger focuses 100% on the PL and plays a reserve team in Europa, give some of these young kids a go. There have been a lot of these kids that have stalled under Wenger and a reserve competition like the League Cup and Europa might be a good opportunity to find our next local star.
I think Mavididi could be one to watch, Bielik as well is another one.
If we can send some of the kids out on loan for experience then that might be better, bring back the ones who have performed out on loan to make the step up…
Then Wenger can say it is like a new signing…
Haha Wenger is saving that line for Cazorla.
WHo would have thought Iwobi gotten his chance in the first team, i still remember selling him in every Football Manager until 2017
Players like Nketiah, Reiss Nelson and Ben Sheaf are the future of our club, I would make it a 5 year contract instead of two in order to ensure the transition of the next generation of the torals the bieliks, etc.