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Arsenal have to put faith in the kids during tough times

ByMahith Gamage|
Arsenal's Brazilian striker Gabriel Martinelli (R) celebrates scoring their first goal to equalise 1-1 with Arsenal's English striker Bukayo Saka (L) during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in London on January 21, 2020. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Brazilian striker Gabriel Martinelli (R) celebrates scoring their first goal to equalise 1-1 with Arsenal's English striker Bukayo Saka (L) during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in London on January 21, 2020. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images)

With COVID-19 and no Champions League football depleting their financial health, Arsenal might have to turn to their young stars to keep the club afloat.

No Champions League football, a massive wage bill, Aubameyang wanting out, COVID-19 impacting matchday and broadcasting revenue, and an owner unwilling to inject his own cash. Arsenal are in trouble on the financial side of things, and it’s unlikely that we see any big transfers from them this summer either to improve the club on the pitch.

Luckily for them, they have a productive academy system that has been churning out first-team ready players for the last few years. If Arsenal are going to get through this period of financial pressure, they have to trust the kids to develop and get them some results.

Luckily, they have a manager that is very capable of developing players in the long-term and inspiring them as well, in Mikel Arteta.

We’ve already seen this season what Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka are capable of. The 2 have been regulars in the Arsenal side in recent times, and have added much-needed intensity and youthfulness to the team. Both are expected to be key cogs in the team moving forward.

Other academy products that should be given more minutes in the coming seasons include Joe Willock, Reiss Nelson, Emile Smith Rowe, and Eddie Nketiah. All 4 of these players have been on the fringes of the first-team for a couple of years now, and have the potential to become regular starters soon.

During normal periods, however, not all of these players would have made it at Arsenal. The club spends money on first-team additions every window and there just isn’t enough space for every academy player. With Arsenal expected to cut back on signings though, there is a better chance for each and every youngster to crack the first XI regularly.

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We haven’t even mentioned the likes of Matteo Guendouzi and William Saliba yet – 2 players who are among France’s upcoming u21 golden generation of talent. Both players are expected to become world-class in their respective positions, and Arsenal should be hanging onto both for the long-term to fix up their notoriously weak spine.

Miguel Azeez is currently the most highly-rated player in the Arsenal academy, closely followed by Folarin Balogun. These 2 are expected to be given chances to impress at the senior level very soon.

The Gunners might be in a tough position financially, but the strength of their academy system, along with their first-team recruitment in recent years, has given them a strong u21 core to develop and trust in the coming years.

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