It seems in today’s game there’s a bright new youngster coming through every week.
They have a few good games, spark mass hysteria in the media, linking them with Real Madrid, the two Manchester clubs, Chelsea, Barca, and of course the Gunners.
Summer moves normally follow, and the spotlight is firmly on them. Every move and game scrutinized. We’re likely to see plenty of action in the window, but there’s plenty to get excited about a little closer to the Emirates.
We take a look at the three of the most thrilling prospects on the cusp of becoming permanent fixtures in Wenger’s first team…
Serge Gnabry
At just 19 Serge Gnabry is one of the most exciting prospects at Arsenal. The winger joined Arsenal when he was 16 in a £100,000 deal with Stuttgart, and it wasn’t long before he was promoted to the Reserve side.
His first foray in the first team came in the 2012-13 season, making his professional debut, replacing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain against Coventry City in the League Cup. His league debut came just a month later, becoming Arsenal’s third youngest player in history, and he’s been a regular in the first team squad ever since.
Missing much of this season through injury, but is edging ever closer to full fitness, training again and getting a few run outs with the under-21s. And with a long-term contract already in place, Gnabry will undoubtedly be a big player for Arsenal as they look to reclaim a Premier League title.
Hector Bellerin
Bellerin has been something of a surprise package this season for Arsenal. And he’s loving it too. He recently described playing for Arsenal as “always good fun,” and is beginning to concrete himself a place in the first team squad because of it.
It’s a position where a number of players are fighting for a place, and if the Gunners can create plenty more healthy competition amongst the squad, and could certainly be worth a Sky Bet signup and put some money on the Gunners to challenge next year.
Bellerin is shaping up to have the potential to be one of the best right-backs in the league, and with pace that rivals Usain Bolt, quite literally, he’ll terrorize oppositions left flanks for many years to come.
Gedion Zelalem
As well as Arsenal, Gedion Zelalem is eligible to play for Germany, Ethiopia, and shortly the USA. So there’s going to be an almighty battle for him when he breaks into the Arsenal first team which is inevitable.
After a series of clubs during his youth, which saw him learn his trade in Germany and the USA he arrived at Arsenal and quickly graduated to the under-21s.
He made his first team debut in a 4-0 victory over Coventry City, getting 20 minutes of action before another run out in the Champions League at the end of December.
He continues to impress in the under-21s and at just 18-years-old, the midfielder is touted as being one of the future stars of football. Next season will be a key one in terms of his development, we can be sure he’ll head out on loan somewhere. Fingers crossed he really makes his mark.
