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Arsenal have impressed their fans and viewers worldwide with their football after promoting a talented string of young players for the 2019/20 season, whilst also buying prospects with potential to be world-beaters at some point.
Due to lack of experienced depth in the squad, Arsenal have often deployed younger sides against teams in the Europa League, Carabao Cup and the Emirates FA Cup. However, their young crop of players has seldom disappointed, contributing to nearly 35% of the club's goals in all competitions.
The North London outfit arguably have the best bunch of under-21 players across England, however, a lot would depend on the coaching staff and the board's competency in developing them. To have a great prospect is one thing, to help him grow into being a world-class player is another.
We take a look at five of Arsenal's best young players.
5. Matteo Guendouzi (20)
Unai Emery's best signing by some distance, Matteo Guendouzi has been a revelation for Arsenal. A player who was bought for a fee of €8 million, the Frenchman was recruited to the Emirates as an investment for the future. He pleased the Gunners faithful with his performances last season as he was often one of the first names on the team list under Unai Emery.
Matteo Guendouzi has shown his knack of being able to rattle the opposition. The 20-year-old draws fouls with ease and is an expert in evading pressure from anywhere on the pitch. His ability with the ball on his feet are nothing short of amazing as the Frenchman completes 1.4 interceptions and 1.2 tackles per game, with a passing accuracy of 88.2%.
Although he was Unai Emery's preferred midfielder, Mikel Arteta has opted for the likes of Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira and Dani Ceballos ahead of Guendouzi, which could act as a catalyst to helping the young Frenchman improve. A player who has all the ingredients to become a top-notch sportsman, Matteo Guendouzi will have to work his way to the top, just like any other youngster. The difference is that he already has the fans' backing.
4. Ainsley Maitland-Niles (22)
Even though Ainsley Maitland-Niles has dropped down the pecking order lately under Mikel Arteta, he has been at his best form for Arsenal this season, after getting promoted to the first team a couple of years ago.
A midfielder from the Hale End, the 22-year-old burst onto the scene in Arsene Wenger's later years in London. His best performance in Arsenal colours came against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the year 2017, where he won the Man of the Match award and was played as a midfielder, even though his team ended up on the losing side.
However, Unai Emery saw the 22-year-old's future at right-back, as he played second fiddle to Hector Bellerin. Even though the youngster openly stated his willingness to play in midfield, Unai Emery was not keen at the prospect of seeing him play ahead of the likes of Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi in the middle of the pitch.
But since Mikel Arteta took over, Ainsley Maitland-Niles has been one of the most improved players for the Gunners as he leads the way in most tackles and interceptions won, with 2.3 and 1.8 respectively. He is also one of the top five dribblers at Arsenal, with an average of 1.3 dribbles completed every game.
Albeit he has improved under his new manager, Arteta has claimed that he expects more from Maitland-Niles. He went on to say this about the midfielder:
Ainsley needs to put his head down, work hard and show me every day in training he wants it more than anybody else and that he wants to play for this club and fight for his place.
It is possible that the player also has a few off-field issues. He might have shown his dissatisfaction of playing as a right-back, but it still does not take away the fact that Maitland-Niles has rejuvenated himself, after failing to impress his former manager. The 22-year-old is likely to come back into the team as he is, without doubt, a superior option to Hector Bellerin and Sokratis right now.
3. Eddie Nketiah (20)
The former Chelsea youth player was signed for free by Arsenal in the year 2016. In 2020, four years later, Eddie Nketiah is banging goals in for Arsenal in the Premier League while Chelsea are struggling due to a lack of consistent scoring despite their recent rout of Everton. Nketiah's journey from a want-away player to someone who now is in contention with the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette for the #9 position is exceptional.
The 20-year-old was loaned out by Unai Emery in the start of this season as the Spaniard tried to provide him with necessary game time, something he would not have got if he stayed at his parent club. However, under Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds United, the Englishman did not get much game time either, even though he scored 5 goals in 5 substitute appearances for the Peacocks.
As a result, Mikel Arteta had to cut short his loan spell and brought Nketiah back to the Emirates. He has won over Arteta as the 37-year-old is not afraid to bench his key man Lacazette for him. With four starts already in the bag since coming back in January, Nketiah has now scored 3 goals in 4 appearances for the Gunners and is going straight to the top, as things stand.
2. Gabriel Martinelli (18)
Touted to be the next big thing, Gabriel Martinelli is arguably the most talented 18-year-old in the world. The Brazilian was signed from Ituano for a fee of €6 million and Martinelli has managed to stun Arsenal fans across the globe with his incredible goal-scoring form this season.
A player who relies on his sheer pace and instincts, Martinelli could go on to have an immense career at Arsenal. Martinelli has shot to prominence with 13 goal contributions in 11 starts for the Gunners, a goal/assist every 83.5 minutes.
Although a #9 by nature, the 18-year-old has been used as a left-winger and considering the line of striking options Arteta has, it came as no surprise. His brace against Liverpool in the EFL Cup, followed by a solo goal at Stamford Bridge and an equaliser against West Ham at the London Stadium are few of the games where he has shown what he is all about.
What sets Gabriel Martinelli apart is that even if he is having a quiet game, his work rate on the pitch is unbelievably good, which makes him a player almost impossible to drop. He can torment the opposition with or without the ball, always pressing high up the pitch and closing down players, ready to play the high-octane football Arteta demands. Questions are being asked on why Arteta tends to leave out their best cup goal-scorer for an out-of-form Lacazette and a front three of Martinelli, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe in the upcoming games could be sublime.
1. Bukayo Saka (18)
Undoubtedly the best talent from the Hale End, Bukayo Saka has been one of Arsenal's best players since the turn of the year, let alone their best youngster, probably only behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Bagging 11 assists already this season in all competitions, Saka is the first player from the Arsenal academy to do so since Cesc Fabregas which is a big feat for the young Gunner.
Bukayo Saka, a natural left-winger, has been forced to play as a left-back for Arsenal lately, amidst injury crisis at the left-back position. And to think his performances haven't dropped a bit and has only improved, just goes to display his prowess.
As long as Kieran Tierney is not match-fit, makeshift left-back Bukayo Saka will be relied upon as Mikel Arteta's men aim for a top-four finish in the league. The 18-year-old is not afraid of running at defenders with the ball at his feet while also being outstanding at picking up players inside the box with his crosses. His blistering pace along with his dribbling ensure that he causes every right back he comes up against a threat.
