3 academy stars who should be loaned out next season

As the 2024/25 season hurtles towards us, here is a look at three Hale End academy stars who Arsenal should send out on loan.

Arsenal's Hale End Academy is famous for the talents that it has produced over the years. From Tony Adams and Liam Brady to Jack Wilshere and Bukayo Saka, the talent manufactured by the academy has, at times, been second to none.

But, in recent years, there has been criticism levelled at those in power at the club, and academy, for the poor handling of the loan system, with Arsenal youngsters rarely benefitting from their spells away from the club - or excelling in the wrong environment altogether.

For some players currently in the academy, next season has the potential to be a seismic year in their development, as they look to impress and break into the first-team squad in years to come.

With that in mind, many could benefit from a loan spell, and here are my picks of three such players, who would benefit from regular first-team football in the lower leagues next season.

1. Ethan Nwaneri

Ethan Nwaneri is a player who needs no introduction. He is widely regarded, at present, as the crown jewel of the Hale End academy, and is hotly-tipped to break into the first team in the not-too-distant future.

While some feel as though he could announce himself on the big stage next season, at just 17 years old, a loan feels like a logical and beneficial next step for the star, to properly prepare him for senior football.

For Arsenal's U21 side last season, in the Premier League 2, the 17-year-old scored ten goals and assisted three in just 13 appearances, while also making another Premier League appearance for the senior team - a sign of his enormous potential.

He has not previously been eligible to go out on loan, as players must be 17 years old and have signed a professional contract which, until recently, was not the case for Nwaneri.

While being in and around the first team, and potentially collecting a handful of appearances for the senior team, would be nice for Nwaneri, he would see much more value and development by playing an entire season at a lower level in the professional game, on loan.

Where he could go remains to be seen, but the overall benefit that he would reap from such a move, and the logical sense that it makes, is undeniable.

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