There may not be many natural wide players in the Arsenal first-team squad at present but beyond that the club have an exciting crop of wingers who could eventually make the breakthrough.
Reiss Nelson, who has received much praise for his performances on loan at Hoffenheim, is the closest to the first-team and, given the impact that he has made this season, it is easy to envisage him being involved with the senior side in some capacity next campaign.
Then there is Xavier Amaechi, who had been making fine progress until an injury stopped him in his tracks, with the Hale End product not set to return to action until early 2019.
When he is fit, though, Amaechi is capable of making a major impact in games with his direct dribbling and ability to unlock defences with precise passes. Although he is still eligible for the U18s, Amaechi, prior to his injury, had already established himself as a regular in the starting lineup for the U23s and has frequently been called up by England at youth level.
Amaechi’s injury has allowed Bukayo Saka to showcase his credentials for the U23s.
Technically still a first-year, Saka, who is extremely quick, has already played and scored for England at U19 level, but is for Arsenal that he has made the biggest impact, playing without fear and creating chances for his team-mates with regularity.
Saka is just 17 so it is perhaps a little too early to be considering him for the first-team, but he certainly possesses the quality to potentially make the breakthrough in the future.
Another player to consider is Trae Coyle, who, as well as playing out wide is also capable of operating as an attacking midfielder.
Coyle has battled back from injury issues to become increasingly involved with the U23s this campaign and possesses excellent close control.
In the U18s there are some talented wingers too, including Stan Flaherty, Ben Cottrell and Josh Martin, who are just beginning to impress at that level, while Yunus Musah can also play there.
Not all of the aforementioned players will make the grade at Arsenal but some of them have a good chance of doing so, indicating that the current problem that the first-team face regarding a lack of wingers may not be a longlasting issue.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Nice post Birdie. Strange to think with so many excellent technical players over the years, we sorely lack out an out dribblers in the team. Last one I can think of was Chamberlain, but he didn’t want to be that player. We need a left footer with the ability to skin.
Xavier Amaechi has all the attributes needed to be a truly special player. Reminds me a little of Franck Ribery. Bukayo Saka is a real athlete to stocky, low centre of gravity. A throw back to the days of Arsenal wingers like George Armstrong, Brian Marwood or possibly even a new Marc Overmars. Exciting times at youth level. Another fantastic article Jeorge.
its worth menioning that nelson although is a good winger , he is far better through the centre. thats how nagglesman sees him. they often use him near box to put him in good goalscoring positions to utilize his excellent ability to strike the ball cleanly. thats partly and the fact that he takes his chance well is the reason he scores a lot of goals.
Lovely little update Jeorg. Been hearing good things about the technical level of our kids, especially Saka.
I think Saka is a gem. Coukd be 1st team debut this season
Jeorge, what’s the situation with Nathan Tormley, whose also a winger I believe, is he over all his injuries and how do you rate his prospects?
Saka could become the left back we need… He’s a serious talent