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The youth at Arsenal has been the one saving grace for this season. A breakout season from Emile Smith Rowe along with the meteoric rise of Bukayo Saka has illustrated how the integration of youth is crucial to the rebuild.
Academy products are useful not only in saving transfer funds if they become starters but can also be sold to raise money. Players such as Miguel Azeez and Folarin Balogun will be confident in their abilities and the pathway into the first team.
The London outfit’s Premier League season has been dead for a while. The game against Crystal Palace could have been while Sunday’s fixture with Brighton should be seen as good way to blood these youngsters in low-pressure games.
They may impress, putting up a fight for a place instead of going on loan next season, which may be out of their control. Furthermore, most fans would rather see a few kids get a run out instead of Dani Ceballos and Willian jogging around halfheartedly.
Arsenal: 3 youngsters for Mikel Arteta to introduce against Brighton in final Premier League match of the season
Here are three youngsters who deserve some minutes before the end of an otherwise disappointing season.
3. Folarin Balogun
Folarin Balogun is perhaps the most highly rated academy player in the Gunners’ rank. He has impressed fans and coaches alike with his well-rounded skill set, is a true center-forward in every way and built in the mold that Mikel Arteta seems to desire.
Balogun plays well with his back to goal – something only Alexandre Lacazette is strong at – possessing strength and the required fitness to hold off challenges and lay the ball off before sprinting back into the box to finish off chances – something Lacazette doesn’t do enough of.
Fans have clamored for his Premier League debut but Arteta has preferred experience in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and youth in Gabriel Martinelli before the young academy product.
Given Arteta’s insistence on fighting until it is mathematically impossible, the reasoning behind his wait has been understandable. The stage of the season, however, demands that Balogun be given a chance on the big stage. Do Arsenal really want to be in the UEFA Europa Conference League?
2. Arthur Okonkwo
The young goalkeeper has trained with the first team throughout this season but has yet to make any appearances, largely because his position is particularly difficult.
The mental pressure on Arthur Okonkwo would be immense. An error or two on his debut could wreck his confidence. However, the shortcomings of senior options should tempt Arteta’s hand.
Mat Ryan, in the best of terms, has been perfectly suitable as a backup keeper. He’s shown his experience in the few showings he’s had. Neither Ryan or his error-prone partner, Bernd Leno, are long-term options and Ryan is merely on loan and Leno may indeed be sold this summer or the next.
With the Australian ineligible to play on Sunday against his parent club on Sunday, Okonkwo is certain at least for a spot on the bench, but there is no reason why he shouldn’t go one better.
Okonkwo would provide an excellent in-house option. Even if Arsenal splash the cash on a first-team keeper, gauging Okonkwo’s ability may see him upgraded from third to second-choice keeper. This would save Arsenal valuable funds while allowing him to develop into a starter.
1. Kido Taylor-Hart
Kido Taylor-Hart is an impressive youngster plying his trade with the youth squads. The academy product is often compared to Bukayo Saka, and for good reason. He is a technical, tricky winger, with a wicked turn of pace and extraordinary dribbling ability.
Like with Balogun, however, there appears to be some issues with his contract. His deal expires in the summer and he has yet to sign an extension. Given his clear talent, losing a talent like him would be another poor mistake from the club.
Allowing Taylor-Hart to get some minutes off the bench might make him reconsider. All young players want a clear plan about how they will fit into the first team and how they can break into the squad. Dangling the carrot in front of him and allowing him to see the paths Smith Rowe and Saka have taken might just convince him to renew his deal.
Arsenal’s academy continues to produce quality players. Giving these youngsters a brief run out would allow Arteta to gauge their readiness for the upcoming season. It’s not likely Taylor-Hart will feature at all let alone start on Sunday, but even if a place on the bench can be scrambled over those who will never play anyway, it’d be a smart move.