Robin van Persie is the man of the moment- but are these three the future?
Arsenal fans should feel positive at present, everything seems to be going right all of a sudden. They have three outstanding young prospects out on loan who are all looking promising, can any of them make it into the first team at the Emirates?
Benik Afobe
Age: 19
Nationality: English
Loan club: Reading
Position: Striker
Tell me more: Afobe is highly rated at the Emirates, having been talked up as a future star since he was 16. He was called up into the England under-21 squad in August as a replacement for Danny Welbeck, but his development has been stunted by a groin injury which has seen him miss most of the season. He went on loan to Huddersfield last season, scoring eight goals, and has recently joined Championship promotion chasers Reading. He attributes include his pace and strength, and he is capable of leading the line on his own. He only joined last week, so is just getting started at the Madejski, but a successful spell will take them to the Premier League next season, and he may even be called back to play for them. That is his challenge, and Arsenal will learn a lot about the young prospect over the next couple of months.
Joel Campbell
Age: 19
Nationality: Costa Rican
Loan club: Lorient
Position: Striker
Tell me more: Cross your fingers Arsenal fans, this kid could be the club’s next big star. Arsenal beat off strong competition to seal his signature last summer after impressing for Costa Rica’s under-20 team. He announced his talent to the world with a goal for his country’s senior side against World Champions Spain last Autumn in a 2-2 draw, which he followed up with a winner in Gary Speed’s testimonial match against Wales last month. Campbell was loaned to French side Lorient because of complications with his work permit, and Arsenal will cross their fingers this issue is resolved ahead of next season. If not, he will spend another year on loan, which may not be such a bad move for his development. Still young, he is raw and has scored just two goals in 18 appearances for the French side. He has been used mainly as a substitute for the club, and another season out on loan may be best all round before he makes the big step up to the Premier League.
Chuks Aneke
Age: 18
Nationality: English
Loan club: Preston North End
Position: Attacking midfielder
Tell me more: Aneke has been part of Arsenal’s youth setup since he was just seven years old, and is now just starting to make waves. He spent a short time on loan at League One club Stevenage earlier this season, but recently joined Preston. He scored on his debut at the weekend against Bury, his first professional goal. Arsene Wenger has even compared him to Yaya Toure, a glowing compliment indeed for the 6ft 3 youngster. He made his first team debut against Shrewsbury in the Carling Cup last Autumn, which he said has given him a taste for more. Any experience he gains out on loan will stand him in good stead for the future. Next season may be too early for a breakthrough, with more Carling Cup runs and another loan opportunity likely his most logical progression, right now he must focus on developing as a player and learn more about first team football by getting as much of it under his belt as possible with Preston. One game and one goal certainly bodes well, so like Afobe, he must make these final two months of the season count.
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