Arsenal’s academy is thriving, with several players showing signs of following in the footsteps of Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
It’s easy to forget that Lewis-Skelly was still playing for Arsenal’s academy at the start of the last season.
What a year it’s been for the 18-year-old, who in a short space of time became a valued member of Mikel Arteta’s first team squad and an England international.
The same goes for Nwaneri, whose breakthrough year saw him score nine goals and pen a new contract, with the next generation already taking shape through Max Dowman’s rise.
Ceadach O’Neill makes Arsenal U21 debut
Dowman turned heads on his Premier League debut, making his first senior competitive appearance for Arsenal at the age of just 15.
Though Arsenal’s U18 side will be missing the playmaker’s quality as he continues to be a part of Arteta’s plans, there’s another development happening within Adam Birchall’s squad.
Winger Ceadach O’Neill has been really impressing since having his position altered from a winger to a striker, so much so that over the weekend, he made his U21 debut.
The 17-year-old Northern Irishman had scored five goals in only three games for the U18s to start the season, leading him towards his reward of being promoted to the U21s.
During the Young Gunners’ win over Brighton U21, O’Neill was introduced at half-time, replacing Andre Harriman-Annous, a like-for-like change.
The substitution indicated that the U21s see O’Neill as more of a centre-forward than a wide player, which is something Arteta will surely be keeping an eye on.
It was a day to remember for the teenager, who, thanks to others in the U18s side, wasn’t missed too much by Birchall.
Alex Marciniak stars for Arsenal U18
Arsenal will hope to have as much success against Liverpool as their academy sides have this weekend.
After the U21s beat Brighton, the U18s beat Birmingham City U18 2-0, with the game very much being decided by 17-year-old Alex Marciniak.
The Welsh attacking midfielder played on the left side of attack against the Blues and made his presence known, providing an assist and then a goal in the space of just four minutes.
Marciniak showed real intent in the fixture in the final third as he looks to improve on his goal contribution tally of last season, where he scored four goals and recorded two assists in the U18 Premier League.
The future is bright at Hale End, with a lot of talent to keep tabs on as the season progresses.
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