Arsenal FC: The 5 Youngsters That Represent the Future of the Club

Aditya M SCorrespondent IMarch 25, 2011

Arsenal FC: The 5 Youngsters That Represent the Future of the Club

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    LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 05:  Manager Arsene Wenger of Arsenal gives instructions from the touchline during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Sunderland at Emirates Stadium on March 5, 2011 in London, England.  (Photo by Paul Gilham/Get
    Paul Gilham/Getty Images

    In recent times, Arsenal have produced a multitude of youngsters who dazzle, come with a lot of expectations and have immense potential.

    Some of them have gone on to fulfill their potential (Jack Wilshere) this season, but some have faded away and disappointed (Fran Merida).

    Presently, Arsenal have several talented players in their rank who are capable of capturing a place in the bench. This year, we have seen players like Ignasi Miquel, Connor Henderson and Henri Lansbury all receive playing time in either the Carling Cup or the FA Cup, and all three have impressed.

    In this article, I will be looking at five youngsters who seem to be shaping up into stars of the future and have impressed either with the youth squad, reserves or at loan spells away from the club.

    Players like Ramsey, Wilshere and Szczesny have been intentionally left out, as they have started to fulfill their potential and are already essential parts of the squad and regularly receive playing time.

    In this article, I will be focusing on five youngsters who have the talent and potential to become world-class players and have just started on that path. They are yet to break into the first team but can do so in a few years.

    Notable inclusions are Miyaichi and Lansbury, players who have already received a lot of credit and talk. I am looking to focus on players who haven’t received so much attention but are immensely talented.

Emmanuel Frimpong

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    LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 31:  Emmanuel Frimpong of Arsenal in action during the Emirates Cup match between Arsenal and AC Milan at Emirates Stadium on July 31, 2010 in London, England.  (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
    Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

    This season looked all set to be Frimpong’s breakthrough campaign and the year he established himself as Alex Song’s capable and talented understudy.

    But a cruciate ligament injury before the Blackpool match during August put an end to his season and his integration into the first team was put on hold.

    He featured extensively in Arsenal’s preseason matches and put in some great, exciting and commendable performances. He was the subject of extensive praise from Gunners boss, Arsene Wenger.

    He proved to be a real midfield dynamo and displayed all the characteristics of a great backup to Alex Song. Despite his injury, he looks all set to continue on his path to become a first-team regular.

    His passing, tackling and his overall game is exciting to watch and he is shaping up to be a real prospect for the Gunners.

    With Craig Eastmond not especially impressing when given the run in, it looks like it would be Frimpong who would get the role of Song’s deputy next season.

    Throughout this season, it has become evident that Song needs an adequate replacement in his absence, and it looks like Frimpong is the answer to Arsenal’s defensive-midfield crisis.

Benik Afobe and Chuks Aneke

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    LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20: Chuks Aneke of Arsenal in action during the FA Youth Cup match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on January 20, 2011 in London, England.  (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
    Clive Rose/Getty Images

    Although this counts as two players, the duo has been the subject of extreme praise from Steve Bould and rightfully so. They have a great understanding with each other and play brilliantly together.

    Benik Afobe has been on fire at Huddersfield Town, as he has notched up four goals and five assists with the League One side.

    Before his successful loan spell, he was extremely prolific for the Arsenal youth, scoring an extremely impressive 20 goals in just 32 appearances for the youth team. He also scored 40 goals for the Under-16s in 2007-08.

    This may count for nothing when he starts to play professional football, but there is no doubt that he has the raw potential and talent to become a prolific scorer for the Gunners.

    Chuks Aneke might not have gotten as much talk or interest as Afobe, but there is no denying his talent and potential. He is shaping to be a great midfielder that can play from box to box.

    Various youngsters, including Afobe, have credited him as the reason for several of their goals and he will be looking to break into the first team soon.

    It is little wonder that Barcelona tried to sign these two youngsters from Arsenal.

Luke Freeman

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    ROCHDALE, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 09:  Luke Freeman of Yeovil Town during the NPower League One match between Rochdale and Yeovil Town at Spotland Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Rochdale, England.  (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
    Alex Livesey/Getty Images

    Another prolific scorer, Freeman has taken over the goalscoring reigns from Afobe and has made merry in front of goal in the past two seasons, as he notched up several important goals for the youth side.

    Many predict him to be another “fox in the box” player and with his build, he has the potential to become an excellent forward in the future. He notched up 15 goals last season for the youth side.

    Another interesting aspect of his goals has been the fact that they always comes at a time when his team has needed some inspiration.

    Even this season, he has continued to find the net and has scored some real beauties. The news from the youth camp is that he is a real hard worker, which leads to frustration when he fails to find the net.

    Another unproven but immensely talented player, Freeman has great potential to become a regular goalscorer for Arsenal and along with Afobe and Aneke, represents a real promising attacking lineup for the future. 

Kyle Bartley

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    MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Kyle Bartley of Sheffield United in action during the npower Championship match between Middlesbrough and Sheffield United at the Riverside Stadium on August 22, 2010 in Middlesbrough, England.  (Photo by Michael Regan/
    Michael Regan/Getty Images

    Many believe that Arsenal require a strong, tall and imposing defender, and it seems like Kyle Bartley may be the perfect fit. During his impressive loan spell at Rangers, he has proven himself to be solid, dependable and imposing at the back.

    Bartley has been scintillating for Rangers this season and has put in a number of brilliant performances, which has prompted Rangers to try and secure him on loan for next season as well.

    Even when he has drifted out to left back, he has looked comfortable and is proving to be a rock at the back for the Scottish champions. He has even produced some fine attacking skills, as he has already notched up one goal and one assist for Rangers.

    With Sebastian Squillaci proving to be a disappointment and the constant injuries that befall Arsenal’s centre backs, Wenger may be prompted to recall the youngster next season. He will face stiff competition from Reserve captain, Ignasi Miguel, who is proving to be another great prospect.

    But his first-team experience may help him edge out the Spaniard and earn a spot on Arsenal’s roster.

Thomas Cruise

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    LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 22:  Thomas Cruise of Arsenal looks on during the FA Youth Cup Final 1st Leg match between Arsenal and Liverpool at The Emirates Stadium on May 22, 2009 in London, England.  (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
    Julian Finney/Getty Images

    If Gael Clichy does move to Liverpool or any other club, Arsene Wenger may just be tempted to promote Thomas Cruise into the first team.

    With Kieran Gibbs blighted by frequent injuries and Armand Traore proving to be a disaster at Juventus, he may end up getting first-team opportunities as backup to whoever is Arsenal’s first-choice left back next season.

    He put in a good shift when Arsene Wenger fielded a shockingly young side to face Olympiakos in the Champions League last season.

    Cruise has proven to be a good prospect for the Gunners, and with the confusion surrounding the left back position, Cruise has a chance to establish himself with the first team.

    The English defender is young and can go a long way at Emirates.

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