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