There has been a clamour of late for Arsenal to give more youngsters opportunities next season, but, with Unai Emery’s first campaign at the club having come to a conclusion, now seems the perfect time to assess how the Spaniard has used academy players so far.
This article compares Emery’s use of academy players to Arsene Wenger’s final season at the club. It is important to note that it only includes players from outside the first-team squad, so the likes of Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Matteo Guendouzi aren’t included.
2017/18
Josh Dasilva – +3 apps (Carabao Cup) – 59 MINS TOTAL
Matt Macey – 1 app (Carabao Cup), 120 MINS 1 app (Europa League) 90 Mins – 210 MINS TOTAL
Reiss Nelson – 2+1 apps (Premier League) 146 mins, 1 app (FA Cup) 90 mins, 2+1 apps (Carabao Cup) 181 mins, 3+5 apps (Europa League) 314 mins +1 app(Community Shield) 33 mins 764 MINS TOTAL
Eddie Nketiah – +3 apps (Premier League) 17 mins, +1 apps (FA Cup) 25 mins, +1 apps (Carabao Cup) 35 mins, +5 apps (Europa League) 50 mins 127 MINS TOTAL
Joe Willock – 1+1 apps (Premier League) 82 mins, 1 app (FA Cup) 65 mins, 1+2 apps (Carabao Cup) 96 mins, 3+2 apps (Europa League) 273 mins – 516 MINS TOTAL
Ben Sheaf – +1 app (Carabao Cup), 6 mins +1 app (Europa League) 1 min 7 MINS TOTAL
Marcus McGuane – +2 apps (Europa League) 12 MINS TOTAL
SEASON TOTAL – 1695 MINS
In his last season in charge Wenger called upon seven youngsters, all of whom made their Arsenal debuts during that campaign. Reiss Nelson, Joe Willock and Eddie Nketiah all gained Premier League experience, while the Europa League provided the opportunity for a host of prospects to feature.
2018/19
Charlie Gilmour – +2 apps (Europa League) 21 MINS TOTAL
Zech Medley – +1 app (FA Cup) 7 MINS , + 2 apps (Europa League) 57 MINS 64 MINS TOTAL
Eddie Nketiah – +5 apps (Premier League), 62 MINS 1 app (FA Cup) 64 MINS, +1 app (Carabao Cup) 25 MINS, 2 apps (Europa League) 180 MINS 331 MINS TOTAL
Julio Pleguezuelo – 1 app (Carabao Cup) 90 MINS TOTAL
Joe Willock – 1+1 apps (Premier League), 64 MINS 1 app (FA Cup), 90 MINS 2 apps (Europa League) 180 MINS 334 MINS TOTAL
Bukayo Saka – +1 app (Premier League) 7 MINS , +1 app (FA Cup 4 MINS), 1+1 apps (Europa League) 112 mins 123 MINS TOTAL
Emile Smith Rowe – 2 apps (Carabao Cup) 137 MINS, 3+1 apps (Europa League) 265 MINS TOTAL
SEASON TOTAL – 1228 MINS
Emery also gave game time to seven youngsters, and gave debuts to five players, including Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka.
He seemed rather reluctant to field young players in the Premier League, but did give Willock a runout as a substitute in the Europa League final.
Overall, Wenger gave over 400 more minutes to youngsters in the first-team during his final season in charge compared to Emery’s maiden campaign.
It is hoped that next season Emery will be more open to playing academy players, and there have already been suggestions that such a scenario could occur.
This season Willock in particular warranted more game time, while Saka could have made an impact if called upon.
Two of the players that Wenger used in 2017/18, Josh Dasilva and Marcus McGuane, have already left the club, while two of Emery’s selections, Charlie Gilmour and Julio Pleguezuelo, are leaving, indicating just how difficult it is to integrate youngsters into the first-team.
Jeorge Bird's Arsenal Youth 
don’t worry, my boy BIELIK will come back and get ALL THE MINUTES
worth mentioning that Nelson and Macey went on loan
Wrong season to compare it with. In his last couple of years, Wenger reduced game time for youth, but before that he was more willing to play them. We will need to wait for next season to see how Emery does with academy, he will have 5-6 players who are ready for first team.