Arsenal Youth Preview 2021/2022
Arsenal’s match results may not be impressive but they have been successful in pushing players into the first team in recent years with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Reiss Nelson, Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah and Joe Willock all earning meaningful game time over the past couple of seasons. The good news for them is that the well is still not empty.
Starting pre-season ahead of most other clubs, Arsenal have already opened the door to more youthful talent with Omari Giraud-Hutchinson and Jack Henry-Francis both being promoted from the U18s and appearing in the opening friendlies. There could also be surprise first team action for U23 captain Harry Clarke and defender Omar Rekik although getting them out on loan is more the likely avenue.
Being a Division 2 side in the U23s is a bit of an embarrassment for a club like Arsenal but what they have shown over recent years - possibly as a result of struggles at first team level - is that they have one of the most fluid routes to the primetime of any Premier League club and I would expect more appearances for homegrown talent this year.
| U23 Projected Starters | |
|---|---|
| Pos | |
| GK | Karl Hein |
| CB | Jonathan Dinzeyi |
| CB | Omar Rekik |
| RB | Ryan Alebiosu |
| LB | Joel Lopez |
| CM | Tim Akinola |
| CM | Ben Cottrell |
| CM | Miguel Azeez |
| RW | Omari Hutchinson |
| LW | Kido Taylor-Hart |
| CF | Folarin Balogun |
| U18 Projected Starters | |
|---|---|
| Pos | |
| GK | Remy Mitchell |
| CB | Zane Monlouis |
| CB | Zach Awe |
| RB | Brooke Norton-Cuffy |
| LB | Henry Jeffcott |
| CM | Mauro Bandeira |
| CM | Jack Henry-Francis |
| CM | Ismail Oulad M’Hand |
| RW | Marcelo Flores |
| LW | Billy Vigar |
| CF | Khayon Edwards |
Players in Profile - Three to Watch in 2021/2022
Folarin Balogun
- Position: CF
- Age: 20
- Nationality: English
Danny Welbeck was an electric striker blessed with blistering pace and a high scoring record at youth level but a bit of weakness in his technical ability in terms of his touch and finesse… That basically sums up Balogun and is probably part of the reason why at 20 years old he still hasn’t played a major part in Arsenal’s first team squad. However, that may be about to change as he signed a new 5 year deal this winter after rejecting interest from right across Europe. Balogun may not be the most refined player you will ever see but his scoring record is indisputable - he may become a valuable asset particularly in counter attacking situations where his pace would shine. Welbeck is stylistically similar and, in my opinion, is also a good barometer of his upside - a solid and versatile if unspectacular Premier League forward.
Miguel Azeez
- Position: DM
- Age: 18
- Nationality: English
What’s not to like here? Azeez is a cultured midfielder with a talent for playing the “long game” - long passes and long shots. Usually deployed as a deep lying midfielder, he is capable of breaking up play and spraying passes in a similar way to Xabi Alonso; not necessarily throwing himself into tackles but maneuvering his body to pinch the ball off others toes. A player who always seems to have two yards of space, his passes are aesthetically pleasing with a low trajectory allowing him to easily reach all corners of the pitch, a potent attacking weapon. When he does get into advanced areas he hits the ball sweetly, with little back lift. Azeez is a very fun player to watch and I hope he gets to display that this coming season on a regular basis.
Omari Giraud-Hutchinson
- Position: RW
- Age: 18
- Nationality: English
Winger may not be high on the list of needs for Arsenal at the moment but if one academy player is capable of competing for a more regular role it is Omari Giraud-Hutchinson. Left-footed right winger who has also seen game time on the opposite flank, the number 10 position and at left-back. At first team he projects most likely as a winger due to his blistering pace and quick, tricky feet (his favourite move is to drive on the outside of the defender then quickly ‘chop’ back inside and take a shot on before the goalkeeper can get set). He also has a lanky frame and dribbling style that reminds me of Steve McManaman. He was the outstanding player for the U18s last season, scoring and assisting 9 times each. That kind of form has seen him accelerated into the pre-season squad and he will likely expect to feature in any cup games.