2024 is drawing to a close and overall it has been a rather positive year for the progression of academy players, with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri having both been heavily involved with the first-team.
There are some other exciting prospects at the club who will be looking to continue to make an impact at youth level in 2025 and get closer to the first-team squad.
MAX DOWMAN
The starlet who many staff members and supporters are excited about, Dowman has already featured for the U21s and the U19s at the age of 14 and has often trained with the first-team.
Dowman, who turns 15 on New Year’s Eve, will be hoping for further game time at U21 level in 2025. If the midfielder plays for the first-team before the end of the season then he will break Ethan Nwaneri’s record as the club’s youngest ever player.
ANDRE HARRIMAN-ANNOUS
Of all of Arsenal’s first year scholars, Harriman-Annous has probably made the most progress so far.
A versatile attacker who can play up front or out wide, Harriman-Annous has scored at U21 and U19 levels. A first-team callup at some point in 2025 isn’t beyond the realms of possibility if he continues to progress. The 17-year-old links up play well and has good movement.
DAN CASEY
Casey, who is usually deployed as an attacking midfielder but has also played up front, has been a frequent source of goals for Arsenal at U18 level.
The youngster will be looking to earn a professional contract and step up to the U21s, with his technical ability being of a very high standard.
JACK PORTER
A goalkeeper who is very highly rated by the club, Porter made his senior debut aged just 16 when he featured against Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup.
Porter may have to be patient to fully establish himself at U21 level, with the likes of Tommy Setford and Lucas Nygaard ahead of him. However, he should get plenty of game time for the U18s and will also be looking to play a key part for England U17s.
BRANDO BAILEY-JOSEPH
A key figure as Arsenal U17s won the Flamengo Adidas Cup in Brazil, Bailey-Joseph is a very talented winger.
The schoolboy is very direct in his approach and has frequently played above his age group. Bailey-Joseph is likely to be part of next season’s scholarship intake and there are high hopes for him.
—
Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Nice post Jeorge, one door closes and another door opens, Obi Martin takes the United silver and opens an opportunity for Harriman-Annous, good luck to Andre…
Our academy needs to recruit many young strikers from everywhere in the world. We need to develop a world-class striker at one point.
Harriman-Annous…I think I have one of these