Arsenal Football Club has a long and proud history of nurturing young talent through their academy system. Over the years, the club has produced some of the world’s finest players, including Tony Adams, David Rocastle, and Jack Wilshere. In recent years, however, the Arsenal academy has come under criticism for not producing enough quality players for the first team.
In this article, we will take a look at some of the talented academy players that Mikel Arteta should consider using in the first team next season. We will also examine the history of the Arsenal academy and explore some of the players who have come through the ranks in recent years.
The Arsenal Academy: A Brief History
The Arsenal academy was founded in 1895 and has produced some of the club’s most iconic players. Over the years, the academy has undergone several changes, but its primary focus has always been on developing young players for the first team.
Some of the most famous graduates of the Arsenal academy include Tony Adams, David Rocastle, Paul Merson, and Jack Wilshere. The academy has also produced a number of successful managers, including George Graham and Arsene Wenger.
In recent years, however, the academy has come under scrutiny for failing to produce enough quality players for the first team. Many fans and pundits have accused the club of neglecting its youth system and relying too heavily on expensive signings.
The Case for Using Academy Players
There are many benefits to using academy players in the first team. For one, they are often more loyal to the club and more invested in its success. Academy players also tend to have a better understanding of the club’s philosophy and style of play.
In addition, using academy players can save the club money in transfer fees and wages. This is especially important in the current economic climate, where many clubs are struggling financially.
Amario Cozier-Duberry
Cozier-Duberry is a defender, who can play either as a Right Winger, Left Winger or a Attacking Midfield. He is known for his impressive physicality, which allows him to dominate opponents in one-on-one situations. He is also an excellent reader of the game and is able to anticipate his opponent’s movements, has good pace and close control.
Cozier-Duberry’s impressive performances have not gone unnoticed, and he has been linked with moves to several top clubs in England and abroad. However, he remains focused on developing his game at Arsenal and is determined to break into the first team in the near future. 21 appearance 18 starts and 5 goals.
In summary, Amario Cozier-Duberry is a young and talented defender who has the potential to become one of the best in the game. With his impressive physicality, defensive skills and composure on the ball, he is a player to watch out for in the coming years.
Bradley Ibrahim
Bradley Ibrahim is an up-and-coming football player who was born on October 21, 2004, in Macclesfield, UK. He joined Arsenal on September 20, 2017, and has since made a name for himself as an energetic box-to-box midfielder with an eye for goal.
Ibrahim’s breakthrough season came in the 2021-2022 campaign, where he played 24 times for the Academy league and scored three times. His tireless performances on the pitch did not go unnoticed, as he was called up to play for the England under-18 side.
The following season, Ibrahim continued to impress as he made 11 appearances and scored one goal for the Arsenal U18 Premier League team. He also played five times for the Arsenal U21 Premier League 2 team.
Ibrahim’s versatility is also noteworthy, as he can play as a defensive midfielder, center-back, and central midfielder. His dedication to the game is evident through his numerous yellow cards, which he has accumulated throughout his career.
He can learn from Granit Xhaka & Thomas Partey, Mikel Arteta should give him 10 mins here and there so he can get used to the pressure in playing infront of 40/50,000 people.
Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand
Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand is a talented Dutch attacking midfielder who was born on August 20, 2003, in Den Haag, Netherlands. He is currently playing for Arsenal Football Club wearing squad number 68. He joined the Gunners as a professional from Feyenoord on July 1, 2020, and signed his pro contract in the same month.
Salah-Eddine is a versatile player who can operate both as a central attacking midfielder or from a wider position on the pitch. He has showcased his creativity, vision, and technical ability in his performances for Arsenal’s youth teams, particularly the under-23 side.
The youngster has been a regular feature in the under-23 side since his arrival at the club. He appeared in 16 Premier League 2 games last season, scoring five goals in the process. He also showed his set-piece prowess, which is a valuable asset for any team. His outstanding performances earned him a nomination for the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award in November.
Despite being just 18 years old, Salah-Eddine was named in the matchday squad nine times across all three competitions for Arsenal’s first team last season. This shows that he is highly rated by the coaching staff and could potentially become a key player for the club in the future.
Tino Quamina
Tino Quamina is a young footballer currently playing for Arsenal’s youth team. He was born on May 6, 2005, and joined the club in 2017. Quamina is primarily a centre-back, but he can also play as a right-back or defensive midfielder.
Quamina made his debut for Arsenal’s U18 team in 2020 and has since been a regular in the side. In the 2020/2021 season, he made 19 appearances in the U18 Premier League and played a crucial role in Arsenal’s defence. He continued to impress in the 2021/2022 season, making 22 appearances in the U18 Premier League and contributing to the team’s successful campaign.
Quamina is known for his physicality, aerial ability, and solid defensive skills. He is a leader on the pitch and has captained Arsenal’s youth team on several occasions. He also has good technical ability and is comfortable with the ball at his feet.
Off the pitch, Quamina is highly regarded for his work ethic and dedication to the sport. He is often praised by coaches and teammates for his positive attitude and commitment to improving his game.
Jimi Gower
Jimi Gower is a promising young defender who has been making strides in Arsenal’s youth academy. Born on October 20, 2003, Gower joined the Gunners’ academy as a scholar in 2019 and has since been working his way up the ranks.
A versatile player, Gower is capable of playing at both right-back and center-back positions. He is known for his tenacity, physicality, and composure on the ball. Despite being relatively new to the academy, Gower has shown great potential and has been praised by his coaches for his work ethic and attitude.
Gower made his debut for Arsenal’s under-18 side during the 2019/2020 season and has been a regular fixture in the team since then. In the 2021/2022 season, he made 15 appearances for the under-18s and scored one goal. He was also a part of the under-23 team, featuring twice in the Premier League 2.
Off the pitch, Gower is described as a humble and hardworking individual who is always looking to improve. He is highly regarded by his teammates and coaches alike, and is seen as a key part of Arsenal’s future plans.
I think the Arsenal academy has produced some talented players over the years, they have players who have shown great potential to contribute to the first team. Mikel Arteta can utilize these players and give them a chance to prove themselves, players such as Gower, Quamina , and Ibrahim have already shown their quality in various competitions, and it would be exciting to see them feature more regularly next season. It’s important to strike a balance between using academy players and experienced players, but the potential benefits of giving these young players a chance are significant. As always, only time will tell how successful this approach will be, but it’s an encouraging sign for the future of the club.
Catch you in the next one.