Arsenal academy talents pushing for first-team roles

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Arsenal’s academy players made a clear statement with their display in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. They have repeatedly proved to be vital in front of the goal and showed why they deserve a spot at the top of the chain. 

A commanding 5-1 victory to Bolton after a challenging display at the Etihad Stadium shows Mikel Arteta’s side is not backing off the challenges anytime soon. He has the necessary reinforcement to reduce the workload and injury risk on his senior players in games with a lesser challenge.

The starting lineup against Bolton saw a blend of youth and experience, with four academy talents given the opportunity in the starting lineup and another four at the bench for the Gunners ( only two were introduced into the game). Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Josh Nichols, and 16-year-old goalkeeper Jack Porter all started the game for the Gunners. Alexei Rojas, Ayden Heaven, Maldini Kaccuri, and Ismael Kabia were included as substitutes, with Kaccuri and Kabia making second-half appearances.

Ethan Nwaneri shone brightest in the game, scoring twice in both halves to kick off his account for Arsenal’s senior team. The 17-year-old Premier League record-breaker has been making waves in Arsenal’s youth ranks for the past few seasons and finally stepped to the challenge for Mikel Arteta when needed the most. Although playing as a right-winged midfielder, Nwanneri stole the show, completing 26 out of 28 passes with an impressive 93% pass accuracy, creating two chances, and winning three duels. He played full-time and contributed to the build-up of Arsenal’s goals and defensive solidarity.

Nwanneri became the Premier League’s youngest debutant at 15 after coming on as a substitute in Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Brentford in the 2022/23 season. The versatile midfielder who has been compared to Spain’s Cesc Fabregas will have limited opportunities to show his class on the European stage, given that the Gunners play Champions League football and not the lesser competition in the Europa League. His performances for both the U21s and against Bolton show he is ready to join the first team and we expect him to play more for the senior side this season. He is also tipped to be in Arteta’s line-up for the game against Leicester City on Saturday.

During the match, the other academy players on the pitch also performed remarkably for Mikel Arteta’s side. 16 years and 72 days old Jack Porter replaced injured David Raya and Tommy Setford at goal and made the most out of his appearance with the senior team. He made one high claim and seven recoveries at the backline but failed to keep a clean sheet, left with no chance in Bolton’s only goal in the match. Porter made history as the youngest-ever goalkeeper to feature for Gunner’s senior team, beating Malcolm Webster’s record of 18 years and 309 days in 1969.

Josh Nichols who played at right-back won two duels and recorded two defensive interventions on his debut for the senior side. He also enjoyed playing 90 minutes of football alongside Jakub Kiwior. Myles Lewis-Skelly was featured for the Gunners for a second straight game after his appearance against Manchester City. He achieved a 90% pass accuracy in his 60-minute game time before going off for Gabriel Magalhaes.

Out-of-favour Chelsea loanee Raheem Sterling got his first start and first goal for the Gunners before another Chelsea ex-player Kai Havertz inflicted more pain on the already weighed-down Bolton side.

Overall, the youth players seized the opportunity against Bolton to shine. With a tight schedule this season, Mikel Arteta would surely be relying on the youngsters while contemplating their future involvement in the first team as they continue to make their case for regular inclusion.

ARSENAL DISCOVERS 2024/25 CARABAO CUP FOURTH-ROUND OPPONENT

After Wednesday’s 5-1 EFL triumph against Bolton Wanderers, Mikel Arteta’s men and fifteen other English teams made it to the 4th Round of the tournament. They are set to play Preston North End on Tuesday, 29th October at the Deepdale Stadium.

Preston won Fulham on an unending 16-15 penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw at full-time to boo their spot in the EFL 4th Round. Although struggling to find their feet at the Championship standings this season, the club has managed to hold on to five points from a win and two draws in their previous five games.

Arsenal has had a poor record in the competition since it was inaugurated as the League Cup in 1964. The North London Club has only been victorious in the competition twice both in the late 80s and early 90s (1987 and 1993), unlike their neighbors – Tottenham’s four-time victory (1971, 1973, 1999, and 2008), and West London counterpart – Chelsea who has claimed victory in the soiled competition 5 times (1965, 1998, 2005, 2007, and 2015). Liverpool’s ten-time triumph is alone as the highest and most successful in the competition.

Mikel Arteta who won the FA Cup in his first tenure in charge will be looking towards restoring the history of silverware that has since evaded the club. The UEFA Champions League and the EFL were the only trophies missing from Arne Wenger’s cabinet during his time with the Gunners. Bringing home these titles and reclaiming a Premier League title will solidify Arteta’s name in the club’s history. The Gunners have a long way to go this season, and without a battle lost in any competition, they are tipped to get their hands on silverware this season. Breaking Manchester City’s historic victory run in the Premier League is a real possibility and a solid compensation for their efforts in the last two seasons. 

Managing the increasing injury crisis within the club should be prioritized going deep into the season. Captain Martin Odegaard, Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Mikel Morino, and Oleksandr Zinchenko have been sidelined in recent weeks, with goalkeeper David Raya who has been their player of the season so far a doubt for Saturday’s clash against Leicester City.

ARSENAL WOMEN TRASH HACKEN TO CRUISE INTO UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP STAGES

Arsenal Women joined Manchester City, Chelsea, and Celtic women in the 2024/25 UCL campaign in an incredible fashion. Jonas Eidevall’s side were 1-0 down to BK Hacken Women from the first Leg encounter coming into Thursday night’s UCL play-off game. They thrashed the Swedish side 4-0 (4-1 in aggregate) to book their spot in the European stage.

Lia Walti, Mariona Caldentey, Beth Mead, and Frida Maanum were on the score sheet accordingly, with two goals in either half at Meadow’s Park. Goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger made several saves in the second half to keep Arsenal women afloat and through to the UCL group stages, making England the only team with three UCL participants this season.

UP NEXT FOR THE GUNNERS

Arsenal vs Leicester City (Premier League, Saturday 28th September, 15:00)

Arsenal vs Paris Saint-Germain (UEFA Champions League, Tuesday 1st October, 20:00)

Arsenal vs Southampton (Premier League, Saturday 5th October, 15:00)

Bournemouth vs Arsenal (Premier League, Saturday 19th October, 17:30)

Arsenal vs Shakhtar Donetsk (UEFA Champions League, Tuesday 22nd October, 20:00)

Arsenal vs Liverpool (Premier League, Sunday 27th October, 16:30)

Preston North End vs Arsenal (Carabao Cup, Tuesday 29th October, 19:45)

Newcastle United vs Arsenal (Premier League, Saturday 2nd November, 12:30)

Inter Milan vs Arsenal (UEFA Champions League, Wednesday 6th November, 20:00)

Chelsea vs Arsenal (Premier League, Sunday 10th November, 16:30)

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The Gunners keep the heat on Manchester City for the top spot in the Premier League. Their consistency in front of goal and impressive defense line has made them the ideal fore-runners to finish strong in the 2024/25 season. Ensure you reserve your tickets and cheer behind North London Red on their journey through the season.

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