Two Arsenal Youngsters To Keep An Eye On Next Season
It has been a hard few months for Arsenal fans as they had to contend with missing out on the UEFA Champions League spot for next season, after they finished 5th in the Premier League. And the mystery surrounding the future of manager Arsene Wenger just added on to the unrest surrounding the Emirates.
However, now that has been resolved, after the Frenchman signed a new two-year deal with the club and the club’s 3rd FA Cup triumph in the space of 4 years, things look to be on the up once again. With the preparations for the upcoming season going on at full steam, a lot of names have been linked with a move to join the Gunners. But they are yet to bring in a new face.
While all the attention is on bringing in new big names into the squad, Wenger should also look at the talent that he has at his disposal in the youth teams. Over the years, Wenger and Arsenal have cemented their legacy of blooding rising talents from their academy and their next crop of youngsters contains several players who have the ability to make the cut on the bigger stages. After having seen Alex Iwobi carve out a place for himself in Wenger’s scheme of things last season, here are two youngsters who could be the next starlets to make an impact in the league for the Gunners.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles
Maitland-Niles burst on to the scenes back in 2014, when he became the second youngest Arsenal player to feature in the Champions League when he played against Galatasaray. The 19-year old midfielder, who can play anywhere in the middle of the park or as a right-sided full-back, made 6 appearances for the senior team last season – one of which came in the Premier League.
Maitland-Niles was a key part of the England U-20 side that went on to win the FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea earlier this month. An intelligent operator with very good range of passing, the youngster has what it takes to establish himself as a regular first-team member.
Reiss Nelson
The 17-year old became a key member of the Arsenal U-23 side this past season, helping them to a fourth placed finish in the Premier League 2. Nelson, an attacking midfielder by trade, who can play out on the wings too, finished the season with a total of 12 goals and 6 assists from 27 appearances across all competitions.
Possessing plenty of pace and a silky touch along with a good amount of skills, Nelson has been impressing at the Hale End ever since he joined back in 2008. Having signed his first professional contract only in December last year, the England U-17 international is highly rated by the manager and may well get a chance to make an impression in the first team next campaign.