It has been a difficult season for Arsenal U18s, who have found good results hard to come by, but if you look a little deeper there are some encouraging signs ahead of the next campaign.
Arsenal U16s have performed rather better this season and made it through to the final of the Premier League Cup against Manchester City, although that game may not now be played due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Here’s a look at some of the key players in the U16 side.
Goalkeepers
Remy Mitchell made headlines when he featured for Arsenal U18s last season against Aston Villa when he had just become an U15 player.
Since then he has been on the bench for the U23s and in the FA Youth Cup and is a fine shot-stopper.
Pedro Virginia, meanwhile, is the brother of former Arsenal academy goalkeeper Joao, who is now at Everton.
Virginia, a Portugal youth international, is still awaiting his Arsenal U18 debut but is also a good prospect.
Defenders
England youth international Brooke Norton-Cuffy usually plays at right-back but started out as a striker and previously spent time at Fulham and Chelsea.
Centre-back Zane Monlouis has featured prominently for the U18s this season despite still being a schoolboy. A player who is composed in possession, he does make some costly errors at times.
Zach Awe, an England youth international, is another centre-back, although he is also capable of playing in midfield.
Taylor Foran made his debut for the U18s earlier this season and is another option at the heart of the defence. He possesses excellent leadership skills.
Left-back Henry Jeffcott has featured fleetingly for the U18s and is a dependable performer.
Harry Jones, who often plays at right-back, had a game on trial at Tottenham Hotspur recently but is back at Arsenal for now.
Midfielders
Probably the most well known player of this group, Charlie Patino is already a regular for the U18s and has trained with the first-team.
Patino, who joined Arsenal from Luton Town, is a superb passer of the ball.
Marcelo Flores, who is from Mexico and joined from Ipswich Town, is another fine passer. Flores is usually deployed in midfield but can also play out wide.
James Sweet is another midfielder who has been capped by England at youth level, although he has yet to play for Arsenal U18s.
Mauro Bandeira, a Portuguese youngster, recently broke into the U18 team and has earned much praise for his performances.
Luigi Gaspar, the son of former Arsenal player Edu, joined the club shorlty after his father was appointed as technical director last year. Like his dad, Gaspar is a talented midfielder.
Attackers
Khayon Edwards has been moved up to the U18s after frequently finding the net at schoolboy level, while Billy Vigar has also been offered a scholarship deal ahead of next season.
Omari Hutchinson, who has long been seen as a very talented player, has made an impact for the U16s and is usually deployed on the left wing, with Charles Sagoe Jr another player to watch out for.
Beyond that there are other prospects in the U15s, including goalkeepers Jamie Telfer and Alex Kovacevic as well as midfielders Sydie Peck, Kieran Petrie and Bradley Ibrahim.
