MY ACCOUNT
Mikel Arteta has not been shy when it comes to bringing in new faces since taking the reins at Arsenal in December 2019.
The Gunners are believed to have spent more than £300million with the Spaniard at the helm but his starting XI is still a healthy blend of youth and experience.
Academy graduates Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah are familiar faces in the first team and the North Londoners continue to churn out homegrown talent.
With the likes of Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey and Cedric Soares in their prime, Arteta will already have one eye on the club’s youth squads for the next generation of talent.
Ahead of tonight’s Carabao Cup tie with Brighton, we take an in-depth look at five youngsters battling to break through at the Emirates.
Charlie Patino
One of Hale End’s most exciting prospects is youngster Charlie Patino, who is currently on loan at Blackpool.
The central midfielder has already played for Arsenal’s first team and even scored the final goal in a 5-1 win over Sunderland in last season’s Carabao Cup.
Patino, 19, has provided two goals and an assist in 14 Championship appearances this term but his all-round qualities are what make him shine.
A left-footed maestro, the England Under-20s star is able to glide past opponents and beat the press.
His work ethic, drive and awareness on the pitch help him breed confidence — and he could become an excellent player for the Gunners with more experience under his belt.
Brooke Norton-Cuffy
Born in 2004, Brooke Norton-Cuffy is a highly-rated prospect who could provide competition to Ben White at right-back.
Currently on loan at Championship outfit Rotherham, the 18-year-old defender has been playing regular lower-league football for the past two seasons.
Norton-Cuffy was a part of the England U-19 European Championship-winning side, subsequently earning himself a contract extension at Arsenal.
As a physical and direct runner, the Millers regular is a threat on the overlap and has the ability to whip in a dangerous cross or take on defenders.
He has much to improve on if he is to thrive in the Premier League but playing second-tier football at such a young age bodes well.
Marcelo Flores
Marcelo Flores was tipped to make Mexico’s World Cup squad but his loan spell at Real Oviedo has not been a resounding success so far.
The 19-year-old attacking midfielder has recorded just one assist in nine appearances in the Spanish second tier this season but there is no denying he has an abundance of talent.
Flores has already been capped three times by his country and his flair, dribbling and technical ability have put the youngster on the radar of many Arsenal supporters.
A regular in both the U-18 Premier League and Premier League 2 in 2021-22, the Ontario-born starlet recorded 13 goal contributions in 21 outings last term.
A player who likes the spectacular, Flores could be a perfect fit for the free-flowing, attacking philosophy Arteta preaches.
Miguel Azeez
Miguel Azeez made his Arsenal debut against Dundalk in the Europa League in December 2020 and has caught the eye with his dynamism from central areas.
The 20-year-old midfielder was on loan at Portsmouth last season but the Gunners recalled him due to a lack of playing time and he is now a part of Ibiza’s squad in the Spanish second division.
Azeez is currently featuring in a holding role but there are suggestions he could develop into the perfect No8 and eventually replace Partey.
He is able to withstand hard challenges from opponents and can play passes between the lines.
The England U-20 international shows great potential when it comes to reading the game and more work on his positioning and timing could see him become a real asset.
Omar Rekik
Capped three times by Tunisia, Omar Rekik has already featured for a host of top clubs.
The centre-back, 20, had spells at Feyenoord, Manchester City, PSV, Marseille and Hertha Berlin before signing for the Gunners in 2021.
He has experienced an Africa Cup of Nations tournament and his willingness to play a risky pass from defence is what separates him from his peers, with pace and agility also strong features of his game.
Rekik can slot in as a defensive midfielder if needed but his time on loan at Sparta Rotterdam this term has seen him deployed in a back four.
Mika Biereth
Mika Biereth came through the youth ranks at Fulham but snubbed a pro deal at Craven Cottage to sign for the Gunners in 2021.
Prior to that move across London, the Danish striker netted 21 goals in 21 starts for the Cottagers in the U-18 Premier League.
Now on loan at RKC Waalwijk, the 19-year-old starlet has scored twice in four appearances in the Eredivisie this season.
At 6ft 1in, Biereth is an outlier in what is becoming a world dominated by technical, agile forwards but he is still capable of getting in behind if needed.
Arsenal will hope he can follow in the footsteps of Nketiah and make an impact for the first team when he eventually gets his opportunity.
