Who will be the next Arsenal star to follow in Spaniard’s footsteps?

Arsene Wenger is known as being one of the few top managers to give youngsters a run in the first-team. Even so, due to the tough competition, it is difficult for youngsters coming through to be given the chance to play. One of the standout players this season has been Spaniard, and former Barcelona player Hector Bellerin. With this being his debut season with the first-team, he has made an impressive impact on the team, by making 20 appearances and scoring twice. The question is who is the next youth player to break into the first Xl?

A player who comes to mind as the next big thing, is a player on the fringes, Chuba Akpom. In January 2015 he was sent out on loan to Championship side Nottingham Forest. Unfortunately, his chances have been limited due to the fact he kept picking up injuries. One hopes his time on loan will be as fruitful as Bellerin’s. Akpom has been at Arsenal since the age of six and signed professional terms with the club, a day after his seventeenth birthday. This talented striker has a physical presence as well as being a decent finisher.

Another talented youngster is Nigerian winger Alex Iwobi. This playmaker has an excellent dribbling ability as well as having good pace. Alex is also the nephew of former Bolton star Jay-Jay Okocha, so talent runs in the family.

Additionally, Arsenal signed in January the highly promising Polish midfielder Krystian Bielik, who is another talent among the ranks. Aged just sixteen he made his senior debut at former club Legia Warsaw. He is a bit different to most of the Arsenal team as he is a defensive midfielder. He is certainly one to look out for in the future.

Arsenal has the reputation for giving youth players the chance, and those respective players mentioned above have the ability and potential to do this. But, it is very difficult to do this and on a consistent basis. It remains to be seen whether they will be given the chance; the new rules regarding home grown players may both open and close doors to the youth players at this club.