Arsenal’s Academy Prospects are Shining on the International Stage

Arsenal’s promising academy prospects such as Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson, and Bukayo Saka have been shining on the international stage for England this week, from U17 level all the way to U21.

It’s been a promising few years for Arsenal’s Hale End academy. Before the turn of the century, the Gunners academy was credited with producing club legends such as Ray Parlour, Michael Thomas, and David Rocastle, and even some other English footballing greats such as Andy Cole and Ashley Cole. Since those days however, the academy has been somewhat of a disappointment. Most notably towards the end of the 2000’s and into the 2010’s, the likes of Jack Wilshere, Wojciech Szczesny, Kieran Gibbs, and Serge Gnabry came out of the academy, with all of them eventually failing to make the grade at the club.

It was a disappointment to say the least, but the academy has undergone a bit of a revival recently, especially with the likes of Hector Bellerin and Alex Iwobi making a significant impact at first-team level, most notably the former. Now, Arsenal seem to have a wave of top talent coming through, especially with English players – an area they’re lacking in on the first-team.

The international break this week has allowed some of these academy prospects to join up with their respective international squads. The attacking quality has been set free over the last few days, with many of the youngsters finding the scoresheet and making a massive impact.

Reiss Nelson, perhaps the most famous of the bunch, grabbed a beautiful assist for Calvert-Lewin’s goal in England U21’s draw against Poland U21’s. The winger has been on loan at Hoffenheim all season and despite struggling to get into the first-team of late, possesses quality beyond belief. Eddie Nketiah found the net as well, but for England U20’s. This was in spite of a 3-1 loss. Many have questioned whether Nketiah has the quality to make it at Arsenal, and while it is certainly a tough call, it’s pleasing to see him grasp this opportunity in a season where he hasn’t seen too much football.

3 of the lesser-known academy prospects also found the scoresheet with their respective England squads, with Bukayo Saka in particular standing out.

Arsenal’s electric left-winger Bukayo Saka scored 2 goals and grabbed an assist for the u19’s with Gareth Southgate watching on – obviously impressed. Saka was the youngest player in the u19 England team on the day at just 17 years of age, and made his Arsenal debut earlier this year. Saka has the potential to be a future star for club and country, and possesses immense technical quality.

Talented centre-forward Folarin Balogun found the back of the net for England u18, and grabbed an assist as well. Vontae-Daley Campbell also featured in the match, and Xavier Amaechi and Tyreece John-Jules were called up too, but they were taken to Dubai with the Arsenal first-team instead. Sam Greenwood, who joined Arsenal’s Hale End academy from Sunderland last year grabbed a brace for the England u17’s to round out an extremely impressive couple of days.

While the Arsenal first-team is training in Dubai, some of their academy prospects are absolutely lighting it up for their national teams. In a football world where clubs are being forced to dish out ridiculous sums of money to find quality players, Arsenal’s Hale End academy may just save them millions.