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Matchday 1 of the new Premier League season is just over a month away as clubs and players get back to training in preparation for another long footballing season. Unlike previous seasons, this one will prove to be a little different, especially in terms of how clubs go about their transfer business.
Football clubs around the world have suffered a financial downfall due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, making smart moves in the transfer market will be key to their success.
However, another solution to the chaos caused by the Coronavirus is to look at their academies. While we always see a few youngsters break into the first team every season, we might see many of them make more than just the occasional appearance this season. With finances on a leash for most clubs around Europe, promoting academy players will be the only way forward. Mikel Arteta's Arsenal are likely to follow this as well.
Arsenal's poor financial situation is well-documented, and to secure a few top signings, they will have to sell several players and balance the books. However, Arsenal's academy is one of the best in the world and it would be no surprise to see a few youngsters break into the first team this season.
The likes of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Joe Willock, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson have broken into the Arsenal first team in recent years. These players have paved the way for more such youngsters to break into the first team.
There is no denying Arsenal have some of the best raw footballing talents in their academy, and here is a look at five who could break into the first team this season:
5 potential breakout Arsenal youngsters in the 2021-22 season
#5 Arthur Okonkwo
Arthur Okonkwo is a highly rated goalkeeper, and the 19-year-old was recently rewarded with a new long-term contract and promoted to the first team. He still has a long way to go in his development, but it would not be a surprise to see him get a few chances, especially in the cup competitions next season.
Okonkwo first started training with the Arsenal first team in 2017, and towards the end of last season regularly traveled with the team to games. The six-foot-tall keeper commands his penalty area with authority and possesses superb reflexes, while his distribution is also of a high standard.
Okonkwo has had some ups and downs in his career, especially after he missed the entirety of the 2019-20 season because of a health problem. He has since bounced back and has put in numerous top-class performances for the U23's, often in difficult circumstances when the team was struggling.
#4 Catalin Cirjan
Catalin Cirjan is highly regarded as one of the most exciting prospects at the Arsenal academy at the moment. Much was expected from the 18-year-old Romanian last season, but being constantly shuffled between the U18 and the U23 sides stunted his development. There was further frustration as well after his campaign ended prematurely due to injury.
The youngster will now be looking to get his career back on track and will be a key player for Arsenal's U23 side this season. Cirjan was very impressive up until his injury in 2020-21 and his performances saw Mikel Arteta promote him to the first team in December 2020. He will hope to make his first-team debut this season.
Cirjan is predominantly a central midfield player but can also play out wide. He has excellent technique, is a great passer and is not scared to try his luck from distance. The 18-year-old does need to work on his physical attributes, however, to survive the physicality of the Premier League.
#3 Miguel Azeez
Miguel Azeez is another player Arsenal fans should definitely keep an eye on. The 18-year-old is a central midfielder and has become one of the most important players for Arsenal's U23 side. Azeez signed his first professional contract with Arsenal in September last year.
The youngster revealed that he likes to sculpt his playing style Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets and Arsenal could certainly do with a player like him. Like Bukayo Saka, Azeez was fast-tracked at times, playing with age groups well beyond his own.
He initially started out as a box-to-box midfielder but recently switched to holding midfield. With Arsenal lacking depth in that position, the switch gives Azeez a chance to prove he could be the long-term solution to the Gunners' problem.
Azeez made his debut for the first team in a Europa League match against Dundalk FC last season and will now be looking to take the next step in his career.
#2 Charlie Patino
Charlie Patino is still very unknown, especially to football fans outside of Arsenal. But the 17-year-old is tipped to be the next big thing to come out of the famed Hale End Academy.
Since joining Arsenal, there has been a lot of buzz surrounding Patino, with some rumors suggesting that he is better than Jack Wilshere was at 16. There have also been comparisons drawn with Manchester City star Phil Foden.
At 17, Patino might not be ready to play first-time football next season, but it would not be a surprise to see him come off the bench a few times in cup competitions. There are rumors going around that Mikel Arteta might not want to loan him out this season in favor of a promotion to the senior side.
Another reason to be excited about him is that Arsenal handed him the No. 87 shirt. The last person to wear that number was none other than Arsenal's current star boy Bukayo Saka.
#1 Kido Taylor-Hart
Another relatively unknown player on this list is Kido Taylor-Hart, but it may not be long before fans sit up and take notice of the young talent. Arsenal were desperate to tie him down to a new contract and it looks like the deal has been finalized.
The exciting winger had a superb 2020-21 season, but an unfortunate injury derailed his development. Taylor-Hart still managed to score a commendable 13 goals last season.
He usually plays on the left flank and has impressed coaches with his tactical nous and is very well equipped to play first-team football for Arsenal. Taylor-Hart's height, skill and other attributes have been viewed in comparison to Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane.
His future at Arsenal was momentarily in question and Taylor-Hart had several top clubs after him, but Arteta has managed to convince him to stay.
Arsenal's pre-season friendlies could be key for Taylor-Hart as he looks to further his progress. He is bound to get some playing time with Saka on an extended holiday after the Euros. Gabriel Martinelli also looks set to join up with the Brazilian team for the Tokyo Olympics, which should give Taylor-Hart some first-team experience during the pre-season.
