Five academy prospects who could make an impact this season

 

Folarin Balogun and Arthur Okonkwo

Five academy prospects who could make an impact this season

By Josh Graham

It’s not always headline-grabbing big name summer signings that go on to deliver the goods for Arsenal on the pitch the following season.

Often it is the unsung and relatively unknown youngsters that complete their journey from academy hotshots to genuine Premier League superstars.

But who out of the current crop of Gunners starlets can make an impression in Mikel Arteta’s first team during this campaign?

Folarin Balogun


Striker Folarin Balogun is set to hit the ground running after being promoted to Arteta’s senior side ahead of the 2021/22 season.

For months it looked like the 20-year-old would leave the Emirates before finally putting pen to paper on a bumper four-year deal in April. 

The highly promising striker has been at the club since he was nine and made his first senior appearances last season, scoring twice in six games.

The England youth international appears to have what it takes to make it and after getting a taste of the big time will be looking to follow in the footsteps of Three Lions superstar Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe.

Arthur Okonkwo


Like Balogun, young goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has been bumped up to Arteta’s playing squad after impressing through the age grades.

The 19-year-old goalkeeper has been playing for Arsenal since the Under-9s and regularly travelled with the stars last year as the third keeper for matches.

He has signed a three-year deal until 2024 and will wear the No.33 shirt for the North London side.

Technical director Edu said: “It’s great that we have our third goalkeeper who has progressed from our academy and we look forward to seeing more young players coming through.

“Arthur has worked hard to get this far and we’re confident he’ll have an exciting future.”

Miguel Azeez


Central midfielders are all the rage and Miguel Azeez hopes to be Arsenal’s next star in the position.

The 18-year-old has already been backed to shine by club legend Ian Wright who said he wanted to see him in more Premier League squads last season.

And reports suggest the player is set to get more of a shot under Arteta when the season kicks off next month having also debuted in the Europa League.

The Englishman will hope to follow in the footsteps of Euro 2020 stars Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips on the international stage in years to come.

Charlie Patino


Widely touted as the next superstar to emerge from the Arsenal academy, Charlie Patino will be hoping to make a name for himself in the first team this season.

The 17-year-old midfielder has often been compared to former Gunners ace Jack Wilshere as well as England’s Phil Foden.

Used to playing years above his own age, Patino captained England Under-16s aged just 14 against Spain.

In October last year he was handed his first professional contract and Patino revealed he has benefitted from training with the first team and learning off former Real Madrid loanee Dani Ceballos. 

Omar Rekik


Tunisian centre-back Omar Rekik signed for the Under-23s in January but could be ready to make waves in the senior side.

The 19-year-old joined from Hertha BSC but injury meant he only made his debut in the young Gunners’ last game of the season.

Fresh from winning his first senior international cap this summer, Rekik is said to have been told he will be training regularly with the first team by academy chief and former Gooner Per Mertesacker.


Image Credit: Getty Images

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