Home of football statistics and historyElite-level football clubs have long been aware of the importance of developing the next generation of professional players.
Arsenal are amongst the clubs that place major emphasis on providing a sustainable pathway for young talent to progress into senior football.
With that in mind, read on as we look at some exciting youngsters who could eventually become football’s next global superstar.
Max Dowman
Bukayo Saka and Myles Lewis-Skelly are recent examples of promoted ‘wonderkids’ who Arsenal gave the opportunity to shine on the senior stage.
Max Dowman is well on his way to becoming the next academy starlet to establish himself as a regular member of the Gunners’ starting XI.
The 16-year-old has already made 16 appearances for the club, including outings in the Premier League and Champions League.
Dowman scored twice in Arsenal’s League Cup victory over Ipswich Town in September to cement the belief that he is a future superstar.
His performances have attracted attention from UK betting sites, who rate Dowman as one of the front-runners to win the Young Player of the Season award.
Manager Mikel Arteta is eager to ensure that Dowman lives up to the bookies’ billing and has insisted that he will not rush his development.
“We’re going to make sure that when we just throw him there, he’s ready to handle that at every level, and it’s not just that he can run past somebody,” Arteta said.
“There’s a lot more things that we need to look after him. The only thing that we have to manage is that he needs to constantly be aware that he needs to be prepared for what he needs to do.”
Mylo Bernard
Arsenal acquired teenage forward Mylo Bernard from Crystal Palace on a scholarship contract in September and he will sign a professional deal when he turns 17.
Bernard scored six times in the Under-18 Premier League last season and has already weighed in with a couple of goals for Arsenal in the same competition.
He recently bagged a brace as the Gunners came from a goal down to defeat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1. His performance will have delighted Arteta.
Former academy teammate Lucca Benetton previously compared Bernard to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, which is high praise considering what he achieved during his career.
Bernard has also made his mark with England’s youth teams, scoring five goals in ten appearances at Under-16 and Under-17 level.
Although he is listed as a centre-forward, Bernard has looked comfortable playing in central midfield, on the wing or in the number ten role.
If he continues his current rate of progress, the youngster will make it difficult for Arteta to ignore his claims for opportunities with the first team.
JJ Gabriel
Arsenal are amongst the clubs interested in signing Manchester United wonderkid JJ Gabriel after he told the club he wants to leave.
Gabriel is considered one of the country’s best young talents and was given opportunities at senior level in pre-season.
However, his representatives are trying to secure a move elsewhere as they believe that United have not fulfilled promises they made.
The youngster previously spent time at Arsenal and Chelsea’s academies before joining United, so a return to London is not an unreasonable proposition.
Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona have also been linked with Gabriel, which highlights how highly he is regarded by elite clubs.
Signing Gabriel would be regarded as a major coup for Arsenal if they were successful in convincing him to return, and it will be intriguing to see where he goes.
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