Arsenal haven’t promoted a youngster to the first-team squad since 2017, when Ainsley Maitland-Niles made the step up from the U23s.
However, that could be set to change this summer, with a host of prospects in contention to become part of Unai Emery’s squad.
Here’s an assessment of the youngsters who could be promoted ahead of next season.
Eddie Nketiah
Nketiah, who has been prolific in front of goal at youth level for several seasons, is one of the standout candidates to be promoted.
The striker was frequently named on the bench for the first-team in the second half of the season and scored his first Premier League goal against Burnley, even though his overall playing time was limited.
With Danny Welbeck leaving following the expiry of his contract, Nketiah could fill the void and become Arsenal’s third-choice striker.
Joe Willock
Willock impressed many with his cameo appearance in the Europa League final defeat to Chelsea.
The 19-year-old has really pushed on at U23 level under Freddie Ljungberg’s guidance and deserves further first-team chances.
Capable of making bursting runs from midfield with regularity, he would be a useful asset for Emery to call upon.
Reiss Nelson
The winger, who has already featured in the Premier League for Arsenal, enjoyed an excellent first half of the season on loan at Hoffenheim.
The second half of the campaign didn’t quite go to plan as Nelson didn’t feature as prominently, but he certainly remains one of Arsenal’s standout prospects.
With the first-team still in need of wide options when they play with a four man defence, Nelson could receive plenty of opportunities next season.
Emile Smith Rowe
Another hugely talented youngster who spent time on loan in the Bundesliga, in his case with RB Leipzig, Smith Rowe will be hoping to be injury free next campaign.
Capable of performing effectively whether deployed in central midfield or out wide, Smith Rowe possesses an excellent understanding of the game.
Although he needs to be more switched on defensively Smith Rowe is a huge talent, with Arsenal facing a difficult decision next season regarding whether to send him out on loan again.
Deyan Iliev
For a while, as he was sidelined with injury, it appeared as if Iliev had been overtaken in the pecking order at Arsenal by highly rated 17-year-old goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo.
However, since returning to fitness Iliev has regained his position as temporary third-choice goalkeeper and was on the bench for the Europa League final.
With Petr Cech retiring, Iliev, 24, could finally make the step up to the senior squad.
Krystian Bielik
Bielik was undoubtedly one of Arsenal’s best performing loanees this season as he helped Charlton Athletic to earn promotion to the Championship via the play-offs.
The Polish youngster is capable of excelling as a centre-back or a defensive-midfielder.
After representing his country at the U21 European Championship this summer, Bielik will find out whether he has a future at Arsenal.
Bukayo Saka
Saka hadn’t even made his U23 debut this time last year but he concludes the campaign having already featured for the first-team.
The winger is fearless in his approach and constantly takes the game to the opposition.
Saka is still eligible to play for the U18s next season but his aim will be to edge closer to the first-team.
Xavier Amaechi
Another winger with enormous potential, Amaechi has yet to feature for the first-team in a competitive game.
That could well change next season, with the 18-year-old determined to push on further.
Amaechi was set to be named on the bench for the Europa League final but ended up not making the cut as the club had to include three goalkeepers in the squad.
Not all of these youngsters will be promoted this summer, but some of them have a very good chance of making the breakthrough.
Jeorge Bird's Arsenal Youth 
What about John- Jules, Jeorge? Do you think he is ready or a bit too soon?
Probably too soon for him to be promoted, but he could make his debut in one of the cup competitions
I would like to see bielik given a chance next season. It’s high time we gave our youngsters chance to play.
I think Nelson and Willock will step up.
ESR could do with a season long loan, and I think the same for Nketiah.
Being in the Europa could open the door to more, and I personally hope Bielik will be given a chance.
Saka and Amaechi can develop with the U23s and play in the Europa/domestic cup competitions to begin with.
Don’t rate Iliev, but I’m not the coach.
Hope Ballard gets a call up as well. Jordi Osei-Tutu has had a dead season, but hopefully he can get back next year.
It will be an interesting pre-season for all of them.
Jordi Osei Tutu and Zach Medley perhaps?
Depending on departures of course.
If willock is anything like his 2 brothers he will probably leave. Some players get to his age and think they are the next maradona and should be playing regular first team football at the highest level. However the fact is, they are just good at the level they are playing. It’s rather like this clamour for Bielik to be thrown into the first team, when we have a German international clearly struggling some people think a polish u21 player will do better. Please let’s keep things real.
I think Bielik would be better suited for a DM spot, instead of Elneny and the ilk. He’s more defensively focused and had been integral in Charlton’s run for the Championship.
I would rather see Elneny sold and his sub place given to Bielik.
The Arsenal defence is in dire need of an ovehaul – apparently even bringing in very good goalkeepers and CBs isn’t enough when it comes to the Gunners. It’s like they suddenly forget that they actually do know how to play footbal well.
Hopefully Willock will look at how well his brothers have done by moving on. They haven’t exactly set the world on fire.
There isn’t really a clamour for Bielik to be thrown into the first team. More for him to be added to the squad instead of Elneny, giving him chances to prove himself either good enough or not. Adding Bielik to the squad does not mean we don’t want the CM we need to be signed. Especially with another Europa season ahead, Bielik will get chances if he deserves them, then lets see how he does rather than just throw him on the scrapheap after years of investment without a real chance.
Not sure your point about the German international? Are you saying because Mustafi has proven he is a shit CB no youngster should ever be given a chance?
EN, RN, ESR, JW and Bielik need regular game time, whether with us or on loan.
The others can handle staying in the U23s for another year with the possibility of some cup games, although decent loans are certainly an option.
Personally I think the right loan is a big benefit, but the younger loan players often get overlooked by managers when things get tough, and that can be a serious drawback.
Whether they move up to the 1st team or go on loan rather depends on who wants them (loan-wise) and who leaves the 1st team this summer, but I’d be happy with any 1-3 out of them to move up. All 5 in one go may be a bit too much for the squad though.
The problem with sending youngsters who are on the edge of the first team out on loan is that the opportunity may be missed (ie with an injury crisis). It is a difficult decision, I am sure.
With another Europa season ahead, there will be lots of chances to play – especially in the first half of the season. One or two may just do enough to force their way into more regular playing time.
I would say Reiss Nelson and Krystian Bielik should definitely stay. The other 3 is a really hard balancing act between giving them enough opportunities and them not being around to take advantage of any opportunity available.
Any chance of a surprise (talented but less headline player) like Bola making the jump (in view of out LB needs)?
Jeorge, any news or hints on which academy players will get released this summer?
What’s the situation with Sheaf, Burton, Omole, Olowu, Tormey, Bola etc?
Do you think that Thompson can push on especially with opportunities atm at full back?
Medley and Ballard, can you see them both getting exposure in the 1st team next season?
Do you think that Ljungberg will get promoted into the senior coaching group and how would that help our young players with his knowledge of them?
I expect that the released list will be published soon, and Olowu, Bola and Tormey could be on it.
I think Thompson still has quite a lot of improvements to make but he could get a lot of chances next season.
Medley and Ballard could be involved in cup games/ the Europa League
Yes it seems like Ljungberg could be promoted and that would be beneficial for the youngsters in terms of them being more likely to get chances.
On Wed, Jun 5, 2019 at 1:07 PM Jeorge Bird's Arsenal Youth wrote:
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