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Arsenal’s youth has been a shining light in their otherwise drab season, but can the Young Gunners lead the London club to better results?
The Gunners have been one of the biggest stories of the season so far with the North London club sitting in 11th place in the Premier League as we start the New Year, one of their worst league starts to a season since the Premier League began.
As of late, however, they have turned their form around with inspiring displays from the youngsters in their ranks helping them rise up the table.
Arsenal’s standout player this season so far has been the talented Bukayo Saka. The teenager has three goals and one assist in the Premier League this season and has starred on both wings as well as performing exceptionally in a left wing-back role.
The Englishman has proved himself to be a key asset in the squad and is without a doubt one of the first players on Mikel Arteta’s team sheet at the minute.
Gabriel Martinelli has been one of Arsenal’s brightest stars over the last two years and his recent return from a long-term knee injury was a blessing for Arsenal.
The Brazilian has brought energy and a newfound attacking presence to the team that they lacked previously as he cuts through defences in the league with his fast feet. The teenager looks a real threat to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s spot in the squad at the minute with the captain in poor scoring form.
The Gunners have won all three of their last Premier League games including wins against Chelsea, Brighton and West Brom, with Emile Smith Rowe starting all three. The teenager has stepped up when required as Arsenal severely lacked quality in a creative midfielder role at the beginning of the season.
Smith Rowe has been fantastic for Arsenal with his dynamic movement across the pitch causing all sorts of issues for opposition defenders in the league.
One youth player whose future seems unclear is William Saliba, as Arsenal fans will be left wondering whether he will remain a Gunner after the January transfer window is over. The French centre back has clearly not been a part of Mikel Arteta’s plans so far this season with the 19-year-old not playing a minute for the first team this season.
It seems inevitable that Saliba will leave in January, something that will disappoint all Arsenal fans as the youngster looks to be a huge prospect for the future. Saliba’s move seems on the cards after he was frozen out of Arteta’s plans, it is rumoured that he is even willing to take a pay cut to escape Arsenal.
Other notable youth players who have stepped up from Arsenal’s academy this season to play in the Premier League include Joe Willock, Reiss Nelson, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Eddie Nketiah. All have featured this season and have looked fantastic under the influence of manager Mikel Arteta.
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