Which players are likely to sign scholarships next summer?

We are not even halfway through the under-18s season and already some promising schoolboys have featured for Steve Bould’s side. It is about this time of year when the club start to analyse which youngsters they should award scholarships to for the next campaign. But just who will form the batch of 2009? Read on to find out…

One very obvious candidate is Benik Afobe. The young striker had a phenomenal season for the u-16s last season and has stepped up to the u-18s this term, scoring on his debut against Fulham. Benik has also stepped up to the international stage, scoring three goals in his first two matches for England u-16s. The Dagenham-born attacker has already agreed his scholarship deal and is training full time at London Colney, having been handed the no.74 shirt.

Another player to represent England at youth level is Chuks Aneke. Chuks who can play as either a holding midfielder or as a winger has also agreed his scholarship despite not having made his u-18 debut yet. Comfortable in possession, Chuks also has an eye for goal and scored a brace in the 6-0 thrashing of Ipswich Town recently.

Oguzhan Ozyakup and Ignasi Miquel-Pons both joined the club in the summer and have been involved in the u-18s squads. They have both already agreed their scholarships although it is not yet certain whether they will be considered part of the 2008 or 2009 batch.

Miquel’s partner at the back for the u-18s, Daniel Boateng, has also been named on the bench for the u-18s this season. A strong and commanding presence, Daniel has elected to play for Ghana at youth level and should be awarded a scholarship.

On the goalkeeping front, Sean McDermott will sign scholarship forms with the club when he joins in May. With his arrival, it remains questionable whether another goalie, Charlie Mann, will also be given a scholarship.

Elsewhere, Nico Yennaris is a promising player but injuries have halted his progress throughout his fledgling career. He was out with a back problem but his since started light running and is close to a return.

Midfielder Neil Johnston has scored four goals for the u-16s so far this season and will be looking to impress the coaching staff further in his bid to win a scholarship.

Amongst each intake there are also usually one or two players signed from other clubs in either the January or Summer transfer windows.

We will of course keep you updated with the progress of all of these players right here on ArsenalYouth.