Arsenal U21s endured a frustrating end to the season with a late defeat to Chelsea in the play-offs.
It has been an eventful campaign for Mehmet Ali’s side which has included patches of impressive form and also some disappointing results.
As ever, there were plenty of changes to the team throughout the campaign, but one of the biggest positives was the progress made by Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Both of the hugely talented midfielders had already gained experience at this level during the previous campaign, but this season they were key players throughout and took some significant strides forward in terms of their overall performances.
Nwaneri, for instance, scored a hugely impressive eleven goals, while Lewis-Skelly also produced some encouraging displays. Centre-back Ayden Heaven, meanwhile, also performed well as he made the step up to this level.
Ovie Ejeheri was the main goalkeeper and made some spectacular saves at times, although he may well want to test himself elsewhere at senior level next season having already gained experience on loan.
The loss of Lino Sousa in the Winter transfer window caused a problem for the team at left-back, with right-back James Sweet often having to fill in there. Nonetheless, Sweet always gave his all wherever he was deployed and he is another player who emerges from this campaign with credit.
For winger Amario Cozier-Duberry there were more challenges than last season but he concluded the campaign in excellent form, which was recognised by him being named the Premier League 2 player of the month. He now faces a decision on his future, along with defender Reuell Walters, who featured prominently for the U21s again.
In attack, Khayon Edwards impressed before going out on loan for the first time, and Nathan Butler-Oyedeji returned from loan to help the team in the second half of the campaign. It is anticipated that Chido Martin Obi will step up to the U21s next season after his record-breaking season for the U18s. Winger Charles Sagoe Jr often excelled for the U21s but his loan move to Swansea City didn’t work out as expected.
Jack Henry-Francis was committed in midfield and needs to be playing senior football of some description next season, while younger players like Ismeal Kabia and Josh Nichols also stepped up.
The EFL Trophy campaign ended with a loss to Peterborough United and there could be further challenges for the U21s next season as they will receive an invite to compete in the Premier League International Cup.
Jimi Gower and Ismail Oulad M’Hand were involved in their first full campaign at this level and often gave good accounts of themselves.
There is often a major summer overhaul for the U21s and it seems as if that will be the case again this summer, with a host of players in contention to leave.
Jeorge Bird's Arsenal Youth 