Khayon Edwards has started the season in impressive form for Arsenal U18s and the striker will hope that he will eventually receive the opportunity to test himself on a bigger stage.
A hard-working and skilful forward, Edwards first featured for the U18s as a schoolboy and has proceeded to amass plenty of experience at that level, making 26 appearances so far.
This season is crucial for Edwards’ development as he is in the final year of his scholarship contract, but if he continues to perform to such a high standard it seems inevitable that he will be offered an extended stay.
Having scored and provided an assist in the 5-3 victory against Aston Villa on the opening day of the campaign, Edwards hit a brace as Arsenal prevailed past West Bromwich Albion with a 3-1 win last weekend.
Edwards has impressed to such an extent that he is keeping the highly rated Amani Richards, who joined from Chelsea earlier this year, out of the starting lineup, while other forwards such as Kaleel Green and Henry Timi Davies haven’t been include din the matchday squad so far this season.
The next step for Edwards will hopefully be further involvement at U23 level, although the recent signing of Mika Biereth from Fulham has pushed him down the pecking order a little, while Nathan Butler-Oyedeji is often deployed up front despite being better suited to playting as a winger.
As the campaign goes on, however, Edwards will be looking to add to the solitary appearance that he has made for the U23s so far, which came as a substitute in the 6-0 thrashing of Blackburn Rovers last season.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
We could use him tonight as another brace against WBA would be most welcomed