The future is looking bright at the Emirates as Arsenal currently sit top of the Premier League with the youngest squad in the league.
Arsenal have produced some real gems over the years and their current crop of youngsters look as talented as ever. Mikel Arteta could be spoilt for choice with all of the talents coming through their youth ranks.
We’ve gone through the club’s eight wonderkids on Football Manager 2023 and assessed their development and progress in real life.
Omar Rekik
The central defender is spending the season with Sparta Rotterdam in his first loan spell away from the club. As things stand he has only played in a supporting role for the Dutch club this season.
The 21-year-old has made four Eredivisie appearances this season, with each of his appearances coming from the bench. He will be hoping for more action in the second half of the season.
Bukayo Saka
Given that he is now a fully-fledged international and first-team player for Arsenal, it’s easy to forget that Saka is still only 21 years old. The winger is having his best season yet for the Gunners.
With six goals and six assists in the Premier League already, he is averaging a goal or assist every 113 minutes. He’s also not too shabby on the dancefloor.
Bukayo Saka x Gabriel Magalhães. 🕺 #afc pic.twitter.com/K7i4SKBNkG
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) January 2, 2023
Brooke Norton-Cuffy
Norton-Cuffy is spending the season with Championship outfit Rotherham United after a successful spell with Lincoln City last season. The 20-year-old has done well for the Millers this season and has produced two assists so far.
The wing-back had been a regular in the Rotherham side under Paul Warne, but new manager Matt Taylor has rotated him with Peter Kioso.
On the possibility of a recall, Taylor told the Rotherham Advertiser: “That will be down to Brooke and Arsenal. We are happy with Brooke. We have had constant dialogue with Arsenal. They’ve watched him, they have seen how his game has developed and progressed over the season.”
Reuell Walters
Walters is continuing his development with the Arsenal Under-21s this season. The youngster was part of the Gunners’ pre-season tour in the summer, but he is yet to make a first-team appearance.
The 18-year-old has primarily played as a right-back although he can also operate as a centre-half. His technique looks spot on and it might not be too long before he is handed a first-team opportunity.
I swear @reuellwalters is gonna be a thing #arsenal pic.twitter.com/mmWRLPi2JI
— Marcus Alcindor (@MarcusAAlcindor) November 7, 2022
Charlie Patino
Despite Blackpool currently being in the Championship relegation zone, Patino has shined on loan with the Seasiders so far this season. With two goals and two assists he almost instantly became a fan favourite.
Blackpool boss Michael Appleton has been pleased with his development. “I’d like to think progression-wise he’s learnt a lot,” Appleton told Lancs Live. “He’s certainly developed already in a short space of time.
“There’s parts of his game that people probably questioned – even at a very young age – whether he could cope with it, and obviously the physicality side of it was probably one. I think he’s dealt with that really, really well.”
Marquinhos
Brazilian forward Marquinhos has been handed a handful of first-team opportunities by Arteta this season, with most of his minutes coming in the Europa League.
The 19-year-old had his best performance in Europe against FC Zuerich where he produced a goal and an assist in Arsenal’s 2-1 win in Switzerland.
19-year-old Marquinhos gets Arsenal up and running in the Europa League this season 💪
A goal on his senior debut for the club ⚽️ #UEL pic.twitter.com/hdJjgexKbv
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) September 8, 2022
Mika Biereth
Biereth is spending the season on loan with Eredivisie club RKC Waalwijk. So far the 19-year-old forward has scored two league goals in four appearances.
The youngster has missed a chunk of the season through injury, but he will now be hoping to get back into the Waalwijk side for the second half of the season.
Marcelo Flores
Flores is on loan with Real Oviedo for the season in the Spanish second division. The Mexican international has featured in 12 league matches so far and has produced one assist during that time.
As only six of his appearances have been starts, recent reports have hinted that Flores could opt for a loan move elsewhere in January to get more game time.
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