Who makes our list of Arsenal’s best young players to keep an eye on in the upcoming season?
Arsenal have become a force in the development of young players in recent years and last season saw the emergence of Francis Coquelin, Carl Jenkinson, Ignasi Miquel and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain not to mention the well known talents of Emmanuel Frimpong, Henri Lansbury, Kieran Gibbs and Jack Wilshere. So who else could make an impact at the Emirates?
5. Kyle Bartley
After an impressive loan spell at Rangers Kyle Bartley could provide potential cover in the centre back positions this season at Arsenal. Despite being yet to be capped at under-21 level Bartley is a strong and powerful centre half who reads the game exceptionally well. At 21 this may be his last chance at breaking into the Arsenal first team picture.
4. Conor Henderson
Despite being more famous for a Twitter joke he made regarding Arsenal rivals Manchester United’s 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Manchester City last season (Six and the city that’s pretty clever) the Irish youth international has high hopes for the upcoming season. He impressed during a FA Cup replay against Leyton Orient in a 5-0 drubbing where he was used on the left wing. Arsene Wenger announced he expected Henderson to become a first team regular in the future but a serious knee injury dampened his development. Now back in action Henderson will be hoping to make an impact in 2012-13.
3. Thomas Eisfeld
The attacking midfielder’s early career was hampered by a series of knee injuries but since joining for Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund he has managed to keep himself relatively injury free. He scored in pre-season, the winner against a Malaysia XI and should feature in Arsenal’s Carling Cup campaign this season following in the footsteps of Cesc Fabregas, Kieran Gibbs and Wojciech Szczesny.
2. Benik Afobe
Impressive loan spells at Huddersfield and Reading have been accompanied with a phenomenal scoring record at international youth level for England. The 19 year old has found him involved with Arsenal increasingly more this pre-season and is open to another loan deal to help his development. Could be a star in the making if developed in the right way.
1. Ryo Miyaichi
The ‘Japanese Messi’; ‘Ryodinho’; this boy has been compared to the best and with good reason. Technically gifted and a mazy dribbler he has been brilliant in loan spells at Feyenoord and Bolton Wanderers even making his debut for the Japanese national team in May of this year. Has been impressive in pre-season and will be the one to watch at Arsenal this season.
Here is a selection of Miyaichi’s best moments during his loan spell at Dutch side Feyenoord set to a Scottish rock band soundtrack.
What do you think of these youngsters and any others who might make an impact over the course of 2012-13?
image: © wonker
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