The first international break of the season is here and some of the Arsenal youngsters that haven’t been called up by their countries could be presented with opportunities to impress Unai Emery and the first-team coaching staff.
This process worked particularly well for Zech Medley last season, with the defender getting named on the bench in the Premier League after impressing in training while others were unavailable.
Here’s a look at three players who could benefit this time around.
Harry Clarke
Clarke has quickly established himself as an important player for Arsenal U23s this season, featuring frequently at the heart of the defence.
The 18-year-old, who joined from Ipswich Town as a schoolboy, possesses impressive leadership qualities and, while he is most at home at centre-back, is also capable of playing at right-back or in midfield if required.
Nathan Tormey
Tormey (pictured) previously endured much misfortune with injuries but he now appears to be over those problems, with the winger having been a regular in the starting lineup for the U23s since the appointment of Steve Bould.
Quick and skilful, Tormey isn’t especially strong physically but could take advantage of the fact that many of the first-team’s wide options are on international duty.
Trae Coyle
Another winger, Coyle’s stock has fallen somewhat in recent years, to the extent that he wasn’t called up to represent England at youth level this month.
Coyle still possesses some quality, however, and will be eager to show Emery that he deserves to at least make the bench in some of the cup games this season.
—
Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Wonder if we’ll see any of Zech Medley this season. A 6’5” 19 year old would at the very least look the part!
Carabao cup maybe. I suppose we’ll have to see if Emery has any desire to try and build some value in Mustafi.
What the hell happened to Trae Coyle? It isn’t normal for a player to fall off so badly, especially at such a young age.
Sanogo had an unbelievable youth record but failed the step-up. Perhaps some physical advantage that raised him a level up compared to his peers, but didn’t take him further ?♂️ Never watched Trae play, so just making assumptions. But many fail the step from amazing youth player to first team star.