Hale End has helped Arsenal save millions in recent years.
The Gunners’ academy is one of the best in football and has consistently produced one incredible talent after another.
Myles Lewis-Skelly was one of them – he was so good that Mikel Arteta changed his position from central midfielder to left-back to get him into the team last season.
That could happen again one day with Louis Zecevic-John.
Who is the one Arsenal academy player you thought would become a superstar but never did?
Louis Zecevic-John impressed for Arsenal U18s in a different position
One of Arteta’s most desirable qualities in a player is versatility.
A number of his signings over the years have played in multiple positions, and he isn’t afraid of giving opportunities to the academy boys in different positions as well.
Lewis-Skelly is a great example of that, and Zecevic-John could follow in his footsteps.
The 18-year-old is naturally a right-winger who could also play up top. His dribbling skills are among his best traits.
However, Zecevic-John has also filled in as a right-wing-back and at right-back. He has impressed there, most recently in a 2-1 win for the Arsenal U18s against West Ham United.
The youngster’s performance was so good that he received applause from all his teammates when he went back into the dressing room.
U18s boss Adam Birchall told Arsenal’s official website: “We played him there last year, I think it was against Luton in the U17s. He’s a player who is versatile. You see his physicality; he’s able to get up and down.
“I thought his aerial duels were outstanding today, but his ability also to travel with the ball. So I think we all gave him a round of applause (in the dressing room) just because he’s playing out of position… or is he?”
If there’s one thing you could change about the Arsenal academy, what would it be and why?
The Arsenal academy is already the best, but what would make them even better?
Louis Zecevic-John could catch Mikel Arteta’s eye at right-back
Zecevic-John has trained under Arteta in the Arsenal first team on a few occasions already.
The Gunners’ boss has shown over the years that he is not afraid to give opportunities to young players if they deserve it, and that may happen in a few months.
Many of Arsenal’s senior stars will be away at the World Cup in the summer, which means several young players will be called up to the first team during pre-season.
Zecevic-John will definitely be one of them, and if he impresses at right-back, especially with Ben White expected to leave, he could get opportunities in friendlies.
That’s exactly what happened with Lewis-Skelly, and he made his competitive Arsenal debut just a few months later.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
