Picture copyright of Arsenal Football Club
Arsenal have today announced that six of the most highly rated youngsters at the club have signed professional terms.
Henri Lansbury, who many thought was set to be released due to behavourial problems has signed a pro deal and is expected to feature in the first-team.
Kyle Bartley’s first season at the club was hampered by injury, but he has also signed pro terms along with the versatile Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.
Some people were concerned when Gilles Sunu was offered a pro contract towards the end of last season ahead of fellow striker Rhys Murphy, but Rhys has now signed pro terms as well as Sanchez Watt.
Defender Thomas Cruise has also put pen to paper on a new deal.
The fact that all of these youngsters are English is a testament to the hard-work at the Arsenal Academy over the last ten years and it is beginning to pay off.
This is further evidence that many of the current young professionals are set to be released as Arsenal make way for a new crop of youngsters to come through. In addition the likes of Luke Ayling and Anton Blackwood, also first-year scholars, are unlikely to be offered pro terms next season unless they can convince the Arsenal coaching staff otherwise.
