This is the second part of why I think Arsenal have a bright future despite what has happened for most of this season. If you have missed the previous part, click here to check it out:
Here though, we will again be looking at three players that I think will be some of the first names on the team sheets within the next 5 years. Although these guys are twenty years old, they feel as though they have been with the team for a long time and, to be fair they have, and have had some great moments in their Arsenal career so far. Its promising to think these three still have a lot go growing to do.
Joe Willock (20)
Joe has huge potential! He has a great engine, work ethic, pace and physicality, all attributes that will prove extremely useful in midfield. Since he has broken into the team, Joe has mainly played in the Europa League and has had some decent performances, for example against Eintracht Frankfurt. He scored two goals in eight appearance before the Gunners were knocked out of the Europa League by Olympiacos.
Joe’s future position is questionable. He is definitely a midfielder, that’s not up for debate, however where in midfield? Throughout this season he has played as a defensive midfielder, playing in the 2 in a 4-2-3-1 formation. He has also played as an attacking midfielder and on the right and left. The fact Joe has the ability to play in these different position is credible. I see Joe as a number 8. A box-to-box type player. His statue, stamina and pace can be used to the full, plus he can score goals from midfield by making forward runs into the box, which is definitely a utility that Arsenal miss at present.
Eddie Eddie Eddie Nketiah (20)
Next is Eddie. Eddie’s break-through moment was when he came off the bench in the 85th against Norwich in the League Cup in 2017. He score two goals in 10 minutes to win the game for the Gunners. Since then and up until this season, he had seen very little first team action, however he has shone in the under-21s and under-23s for England and Arsenal respectively.
This led to a frustrating loan at Leeds. He had an impact whenever he played, however it didn’t work out for him in the end and his season long loan short was cut short and he returned to Arsenal in January. He has become a very useful addition to the squad. Eddie is definitely an out and out centre-forward. He has pace, strength and has a huge predatory instinct in front of goal and always seems to be in the right place. He is providing cover for the likes of Lacazette and Auba at the moment. I’m sure he is learning from them as well, so when they are no longer at the club he will be more than ready to take their place.
Matteo Guendouzi (20)
Matteo joined Arsenal in 2018 and was initially seen as a under-23 or a squad player at best. However, in my opinion, he has exceeded expectations. In some cases he has been played and relied upon too much considering his age.
Although he has played less this season compared to the previous campaign, I think we have seen glimpses of the player Matteo may turn into. He is a competitive, ruthless, tough tackling, vocal midfielder. Matteo is the kind of player you want on your team and one who you would find a nuisance if you were played against him. This was evident when we played Portsmouth in the FA cup. I think he had one of his best games in an Arsenal shirt. Not only did he dictate the game, but he was vocal; shouting, encouraging and motivating his older team-mates especially in the first half when the game was much more even. In this game, I saw a potential future captain in Guendouzi.
I have only mentioned six Arsenal youngsters in this blog, however there are still more. Notably Emile Smith-Rowe, who was having a very promising loan spell at Huddersfield, before the Covid-19 pandemic. William Saliba, who is on loan at parent club St. Etienne and was having a great season, despite injuries and Mavropanos who is also showing is ability at Bundesliga 2 side Nurnberg.
With these players coming through and an impressive new head coach in Arteta, Arsenal have potential to be a successful club. They just need time, resources and further reinforcements to get there.
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