Arsenal have confirmed they are the latest team to sign up to Europe’s exciting new youth football competition. Who can lead them to success?
Firstly, what do you need to know about the tournament?
Inter Milan won the tournament last year, but the Gunners will be a new challenge for all competitors. Four English teams, Aston Villa, Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City took part last year, with Liverpool finishing third and City losing all six group stage games. Chelsea have also signed up with the competition increasing from 16 to 24 teams, with four new entrants still to be announced.
There are strict rules- which led to Tottenham being forced to withdraw after fielding an ineligible player last season. All 18 squad members must be born after January 1 1994, with three overage players permitted – with a January 1 1993 cut off date. With all that said, here are five young guns who will be hoping to lead Arsenal to glory.
Jon Toral
Toral is 17 and signed professional terms with Arsenal in February. He signed from Barcelona’s youth set up, and is a Spanish youth international. He is an attacking midfielder who loves to score goals and says he was inspired by Cesc Fabregas. He is currently playing for Arsenal’s under-18s and the NextGen tournament arrives at the perfect time for his progression, enabling him to showcase and test his talent on an even bigger stage.
Serge Gnabry
Gnabry is hotly tipped to be Arsenal’s ‘next big thing’ such is his rapid progression in Arsenal’s reserves side. He is just 16 and his performances since joining Arsenal from Stuttgart last summer have been highly impressive. Gnabry is a winger who can play on the left or right as well as behind the striker, and pace is one his biggest assets. He is a German youth international who if he impresses in the NextGen, can fast track his way into first team football as soon as possible.
Thomas Eisfeld
Eisfeld, a German recruit from Dortmund in January, would qualify for the NextGen as one of Arsenal’s three over age players. He is 19 and therefore see the tournament as a big stepping stone. He is a midfielder big on goals and assists, who scored a winner as Arsenal’s reserve side beat Newcastle’s earlier this month. He cost £420,000 and fans would love the opportunity to see more of him.
Nico Yennaris
Versatile youngster Yennaris, 18, is another who would qualify as an overage player, and a potential captain for the side. He made a first team appearance against Manchester United this season, acquitting himself well as a full-back where Johan Djourou failed. He can play in midfield or defence and is currently on loan at Notts County, and would add vital relative experience to blend with the raw talent of Gnabry and Toral. Like Eisfeld though, there are question marks over his selection as there are only three over age slots, but he would certainly be a wise pick.
Chuba Akpom
Akpom is another exciting talent on Arsenal’s books. He is an attacker with an eye for goal who has already been capped by England’s under-17 side, and has been highly praised by Arsenal youth coach Steve Bould. His versatility is an asset and he could well develop into a striker in the future. In six games for England’s under-17s he has hit two goals and provided two assists and has great potential.
Which players do you think will be Arsenal’s biggest stars in the tournament- can they win it?
image: © Ras Dam
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