Although the process to get there was arduous, Arsenal U21s finally sealed their place in the top tier of second string football with a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa this week.
Several senior players featured in the game at Emirates Stadium, but what is next on the agenda for the young players that were involved?
The vast majority of youngsters who featured for the U21s on Tuesday night will still be classed as youth players for next season, with the exception of goalkeeper Matt Macey. The tall shot-stopper is likely to go out on loan for part or all of the 2016/17 campaign in order to gain valuable experience of first-team football.
Then there is the next crop of prospects. Defenders Julio Pleguezuelo and Tafari Moore have amassed much experience of U21 football and the time has now come for them to test themselves out on loan, perhaps at League One level initially. There is a chance that Pleguezuelo could be retained to feature in the early rounds of the Capital One Cup, but the problem facing the talented young Spaniard is that he is currently behind Krystian Bielik in the pecking order at the club.
Bielik had some initial teething problems following his switch to centre-back, but the Poland youth international has delivered some encouraging performances in recent games. In fact his progress has been sufficient to suggest that he could step up to the senior squad in some capacity next season.
He could be joined in that regard by Chris Willock, who was exceptional in both play-off fixtures. The winger is playing with much confidence at the moment and is capable of beating players with ease. A player who is extremely skilful, it has already been suggested by manager Arsene Wenger that Willock will receive first-team opportunities next season.
Jeff Reine-Adelaide, meanwhile, has enjoyed an impressive campaign, even if the level of hype that surrounded his cameo appearance at the Emirates Cup last summer was a little unbearable at times. It is clear that Reine-Adelaide is very talented- he is adept at playing quick passes- but the youngster needs to improve his workrate off the ball and it is perhaps for that reason that he hasn’t been heavily involved with the senior squad yet. He should, however, edge closer to the first-team next season.
Striker Stephy Mavididi finished the campaign as Arsenal’s top scorer at U21 level with 13 goals and the forward should continue to feature for the second-string next season. It will be intriguing to see whether he can continue to score with such regularity against stronger opponents.
There are many other prospects to look out for from Arsenal’s academy, but those who featured on Tuesday night certainly won’t forget the experience in a hurry.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Always thought the hype for Jeff was excessive. Willock looks a real prospect, expecting him to do an iwobi next season
I like the look of Savvas Mourgos – any chance he’ll play for the u21s next season, Jeorge?
yes, he’ll be too old for the U18s so should be involved with the U21s.
Fast track Malen…looks a talent!
Agreed. Would love to hear J. Bird’s thoughts on him. Wilock is an interesting one. Hugely talented, but we also have so many wingers still to make it, like Gnabry, Silva, young winger at Ipswich who’s name currently escapes me (with the crazy mama). I think for the likes of Wilock to be properly integrated, Wenger needs to make a decision on the first team wingers. You can only have so many “developing” players in the first team. Chances are Theo is going, Danny is effectively out for the season sadly, Campbell will get sold (unfairly imo, should’ve also been… Read more »
Ainsley Maitland-Niles you’re thinking of!
Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Conservative.
Agree about Malen – he definitely looks the pick of the bunch at the moment but it’s still early days and I’d wouldn’t think he’s ready for the first team or even for a loan in the Championship. I’m a bit dismayed to see the conventional wisdom about ‘getting valuable experience of first-team football’ being paraded again. Like Sanogo and Gnabry, you mean, who didn’t get any game at all? While there are some exceptions – Toral this year and to a lesser extent Zelalem, Hayden and Akpom – the vast of majority of the loan spells in recent years… Read more »
I know he’s incredibly young Jeorge, but considering his performances recently, what does the future hold for Reiss Nelson? From what I’ve seen, he looks like a potential star.
He’s done very well. Will get a first team chance eventually.
I can’t see any of them getting 1st team time next season as they’re all pretty young and we’ve some guys on loan that would be first in the queue but I think a loan may be on for a few of them. Then the season after I’d expect them to come back and stand a chance assuming their loans went OK.
There are also the 2 Nigerians arriving in the summer to add into the mix for 1st team opportunities
Will they be playing for the u40s?
Honestly think Bielik is wasted at centre back. He’s a box to box midfielder in the mould of Viera and I think they’re only trying to force him into the CB role because he’s tall and there is a dearth of good centre backs around.
Do you think Macey has what it takes to be a top goalie? He’s certainly got the height/build but the few times I’ve seen him he’s been a bit rubbish. Maybe I just saw the wrong games.
I have seen the same games as you, he’s nowhere near the first team at the moment but goalkeepers usually bloom later so you never know. A loan for him will be good and it will be easier to judge after seeing him play at senior level.