Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

Where do 10 of Arsenal’s young stars fit next season?

By Mitch Peotter

Arsenal's Brazilian striker Gabriel Martinelli (R) is replaced by Arsenal's English midfielder Emile Smith Rowe (2L) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 13, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Brazilian striker Gabriel Martinelli (R) is replaced by Arsenal's English midfielder Emile Smith Rowe (2L) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 13, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Folarin Balogun, Omari Hutchinson, Charlie Patino & Marcelo Flores

Arsenal, Flo
Folarin Balogun was out on loan in the Championship during the second half of last season. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

While the youngest members of Arsenal’s current crop of potential first-teamers are destined for minutes throughout the Europa League group stage, I think loans would make sense for most of them.

Folarin Balogun impressed with Middlesborough in the Championship in the back half of the season and another loan to the second division or to a lower Premier League club would be good for his development. However, if Arsenal decide that they want to keep him as depth it wouldn’t be a bad choice as he is a very talented player. Although, his likely lack of minutes could prove costly.

As for the other three, loans to the EFL would be good jumps for them amid their transition to the senior game. Charlie Patino will be a very good player, but he looked a bit out of his depth when he started in Arsenal’s loss to Nottingham Forest back in January. Loans would do them a lot of good but the club keeping them to make appearances in cup competitions would be far from a bad choice.

It is early days in knowing the plan of the club for the summer window let alone next season. But the roles of all of these young stars will be figured out by the club to get the most out of their development and I am excited to see where that goes.