Having developed the likes of Bukayo Saka, Tony Adams, Liam Brady and Cesc Fabregas down the decades, Arsenal’s academy is rightfully considered to one of the most famous and successful in all of British football.
The Hale End academy is still producing brilliant players to this day too, with a number of youngsters impressing in the senior team during pre-season.
Here’s our picks of four youngsters who could breakthrough into the first-team during the 2024/25 Premier League season.
When a player is being compared to Jack Wilshere by Arsenal fans, you know he may be a bit special.
And Myles Lewis-Skelly is exactly that.
The midfielder has been making waves in the academy since he was nine-years-old, playing for the club’s under-18s when he was just 14.
Fast forward just three years, and he’s reportedly in line to be called up to the first-team for the 2024/25 Premier League season after a number of impressive pre-season performances – including in the Emirates Cup.
While Lewis-Skelly is primarily a midfielder, what makes him so useful for Mikel Arteta at such a young age is his ability to fill in at full-back too.
The youngest to ever play for Arsenal, Ethan Nwaneri has been in and around the first team for a few seasons and now looks set to become a regular heading into the 2024/25 campaign.
Despite being just 17 years of age, through his impressive pre-season performances the youngster has proven himself as a player whom Arteta can rely upon as a vice-Bukayo Saka moving forward.
He’ll be key to the Gunners fighting on multiple fronts this season.
Another one of Arsenal’s youngsters who impressed in pre-season, Ayden Heaven’s stature and ability on the ball have made him stand out among his peers at youth level in recent years.
The 17-year-old’s ability to play as both a box-to-box midfielder, filling in for Declan Rice, or as a left-sided centre-back for William Saliba, could make him a very handy squad option this season.
Having penned his first pro contract with Arsenal during the summer, Josh Nichols has quickly ingratiated himself with the club’s senior team.
The full-back has grabbed his chance with both hands too, impressing in a number of pre-season games, including a stunning 30-minute cameo against Manchester United during the tour of the USA.
While he may not get much game time in the Premier League anytime soon, Nichols may be someone to keep an eye out for in the Carabao Cup and the early rounds of the FA Cup.