Arsenal have always been a club that prides itself on providing opportunities for young players. Time and time again we’ve seen youngsters surprise football in north London. From David Rocaster and Michael Thomas under George Graham to current homegrown stars Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka, the list goes on. But who will be the next rising star to emerge from the Gunners’ youth team to make a name for themselves at the Emirates? Let’s take a look at the growth of the following young people.
Charlie Patino
Arsenal’s acclaimed young midfielder has shown fans what he can do. Expectations have grown for Patino over the past few years, and that’s what he has shown in the youth team. He scored in just 10 minutes on his first-team debut last season, coming off the bench in the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Sunderland, which did little to dampen expectations. The 18-year-old is yet to feature in the Premier League, but the opportunity will come soon and Arteta is expected to integrate him more closely into the first team in the upcoming season. Patino is a skilled and excellent midfielder, and while he has played well in many midfield positions, he is best in the No 8 position.
Omari Hutchinson
As a winger, he created his own moments last season, showing his goalscoring ability for the U23s. Hutchinson is a player who is good at creating surprises, whether it’s his excellent technique and IQ, or his ability to beat opponents with running speed. The 18-year-old has been on the first-team bench several times as the 2021-22 season drew to a close, but never made his debut. However, if Arsenal opted to keep him in the squad for the first half of the season rather than loan him out, that could happen in the new season.
Marcelo Flores
Another young Arsenal player who can also dominate great games. Flores had to wait for his moment in the first few weeks of last season, but his breakthrough came after he finally had the chance to impress in the U23s. The attacking midfielder can play in attack and, although he has yet to make his first-team debut with the Gunners, he has already won his first senior game for the Mexican national team and could play this year the World Cup. Flores, like Patino and Hutchinson, is expected to be with Arteta’s team on the upcoming preseason US summer tour and will try to show what he can do. He is expected to stay at Arsenal for the first half of the season rather than go out on loan, as he could get some minutes in the Europa League group stages and the first few rounds of the Carabao Cup.
Lino Sosa
The decision not to give young left-back Joel Lopez a new contract this summer has caused quite a shock among Arsenal fans. But those who watched Lino Sosa’s performance following his January move from West Brom will understand why Lopez was allowed to leave. Sosa impressed for the Under-23s in the second half of last season and has established himself as one of the team’s most exciting young players in his short club career. The 17-year-old left-back looks set to go further this season, with Lopez’s departure meaning he should start nearly every game in the league this season.
Brooke Norton Kuffy
Norton Kouffy was loaned to Lincoln City in January and has been praised for his performances in the process. The young right-back has adapted well to first-team football and Arteta is likely to give him a chance in the first half of the season. Norton Kouffy’s short-term future has yet to be finalized, but if he stays instead of being loaned out, he could have a chance at the Europa League or the Carabao Cup. Arsenal don’t have much of a back-up to support Fu’an Jianyang, and if Norton Kouffy continues on his current trajectory, it would not be surprising to see him overtake Cedric Suarez in the starting lineup.
Marquinos
Arsenal want Marquinos to follow a similar path to Gabriel Martinelli in north London. The 19-year-old winger has been signed from Sao Paulo as “a future member”, but that’s exactly how Martinelli was advertised when he joined from Ituano in an unknown capacity. A few months later, Martinelli declared himself to the world in his own style and became a key player under Arteta. Arsenal now want £3m signing Marquinas to do the same in north London.
Mika Beyers
Danish striker Beyes, signed from Fulham in 2021, has enjoyed an impressive first season in north London. He impressed fans with 11 goals in 21 league games for the Gunners U23s. The 19-year-old has impressed Arteta and it would be no surprise if he gets a first-team chance at some point this season.
Salah Eddin
Salah Edding, signed from Feyenoord in 2020, has endured a painful first season at Arsenal due to injury. But he proved why he was so highly rated last season, with some impressive performances after his full recovery. His performances with the U23s caught the attention of Arteta, who called up the midfielder to join the first team in the Carabao Cup tie against AFC Wimbledon. Salah Edding has even caught the eye of former Arsenal star Wilshere, who managed a stint in the youth team during his return to Arsenal last season. Asked to name some of Arsenal’s best young talents, Wilshere said: “There’s a boy named Salah who’s doing really well.”
Kayan Edwards
Arsenal are likely to lose Edwards this summer. There has been widespread interest in the striker as his contract expires, including from Chelsea, but the Gunners have managed to persuade him to sign a new deal. Edwards will now continue to work hard and play in the impressive form he showed in the U18s last season – where he scored 16 goals – to jump up the ranks for the U23s. He may have to wait for the moment, as he will be competing with Beyers, but Arsenal certainly have their sights set on the enormous talent possessed by the young striker.Return to Sohu, see more
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