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After beating Bournemouth on Sunday and facing one of our old academy players Benik Afobe, there was plenty of talk this weekend about young players not getting a chance at top clubs and being forced to the lower leagues to fulfil their potential.
I had a look through our first-team, youth and reserve squads (including loan stars) to see what the first team could look like just now if it were made up of entirely home-grown players.
Agree with me? Let us know in the comments!
GK: Wojciech Szczesny
On-loan at Roma and doing well in Serie A, academy product Wojciech Szczesny is a stronger option than our other young keepers Martinez and Macey.
He still has some way to go to rival Ospina and will never get near Cech, but if he can sort out his attitude, he could well have a future at the club as backup to Cech.
RB: Hector Bellerin
A no brainer really as he is already now a first-team regular since breaking into the side last year. Lightning quick, strong in attack and defence and has the potential to be one of the best right-backs the club has seen.
Another huge success story for the club and Arsene Wenger which proves if you are good enough you are old enough.
CB: Krystian Bielik
The young Pole signed for the academy as a talented defensive midfielder, but has been deployed at centre-back for the Under 21’s and has excelled in the position this season.
He was the best player against Sheffield Wednesday in his brief appearance in our shock defeat in the League Cup, and he looks like he will become a superstar.
CB: Isaac Hayden
Another player on loan is Isaac Hayden, who is a supremely talented defender.
He has struggled for games this season in the Championship this season to the form of more experienced players, but aside from Calum Chambers, who we signed from Southampton’s academy, Hayden is currently our strongest Academy defender.
LB: Kieran Gibbs
Not getting much football as Monreal has set himself apart as one of the strongest left-backs in the league over the past two seasons, but Gibbs is a good player and the best option at LB in the Spaniards absence.
DM: Jack Wilshere
Arguably the most talented home-grown player ever under Arsene Wenger, Jack Wilshere comes into central midfield.
The cruelty of constant injury is almost over for Jack as he makes his return from another lengthy spell on the sidelines and he easily slots in central midfield and as captain.
DM: Francis Coquelin
Coquelin’s story is one that any player struggling on- loan or to get into the first-team can look to for inspiration.
The Frenchman came into the side from obscurity and transformed our midfield to add a steel and solidity we have been missing for years.
We have desperately missed him during his injury and Gooners are desperate for him to come back.
AMR: Gedion Zelelam
On loan at Rangers this season, this guy has the potential to be one of our best players in the next few years if he sticks at it.
He’s supremely talented on the ball and set tongues wagging with some outrageous skill at the under 20 World Cup last year.
He’s still slightly framed and is prone to losing the ball by trying to do to much, but if the small flaws in his games get ironed out, we have an absolute gem on our hands.
AML: Serge Gnabry
Didn’t play much football in an unsuccessful loan spell at West Brom this season, but the German has plenty of talent and the potential to a future star for the Gunners.
It’s tough at the moment with the experience we have in the squad for him to push into the first-team picture, but he has all the attributes to be a great player for the club and has a golden opportunity now with him back in the first-team picture.
AMC: Alex Iwobi
The Nigeria international has been excellent in the FA Cup opportunities he’s been given this season and has impressed Gooners with his directness and creativity.
He has a tough position to fight for with the likes of Ozil, Walcott and Giroud to compete with, but he is good enough to be playing first-team football and will be an important player for us in years to come.
ST: Chuba Akpom
Currently on-loan, Akpom has been an outstanding player for Hull in their pursuit of a quick return to the Premier League, making 18 appearances and scoring seven goals.
He’s a striker with a bright future and arguably the best homegrown striker at the club, with a bright future ahead of him.
