Arsenal U21s have enjoyed an excellent season so far in various competitions and one player who has made significant progress is Nathan Butler-Oyedeji.
Last season was the Hale End product’s first full campaign as part of the second-string squad and it was a year of adaptation as he showed flashes of brilliance but was unable to command a regular starting berth.
This season, however, matters have been rather different, especially in recent weeks, with Butler-Oyedeji establishing himself as a key player for Mehmet Ali’s side.
The suspicion remains that the 19-year-old is most effective as a winger, but he is now often deployed up front and makes good use of his speed and strength.
Khayon Edwards is usually the regular striker for the U21s, but Butler-Oyedeji started in the win against Monaco in the Premier League International Cup last night and justified his selection with a lively performance.
Butler-Oyedeji has previously been involved in a friendly with the first-team as well as being the extra man in the Europa League and he will hope that his good form could lead to him being involved in the upcoming trip to Dubai.
A skilful player, the youngster is starting to become more clinical, although there is still a long way to go in terms of his overall quest to get into the first-team. A loan spell may follow next season but so far this campaign is going very well for Butler-Oyedeji.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Hopefully our academy talents look at the avg age of our first team and use it as a motivation to push themselves and maybe we can see another Saka level talent in a year or two
Off topic?How’s Lana doing blogs?Good I hope
Buying L. Trossard is a waste of resources while Joel Ideho, Billy Vigar and Nathan Butler are in the academy.
These 3 speedy, hungry, powerful intelligent and energetic young chaps can play anywhere across the Frontline.
Arteta’s failure to trust youth prodigies is really worrying. We for this reason nearly lost William Saliba.