Arsenal have an abundance of talent waiting to be given a chance in their academy, with one player sending a statement to Mikel Arteta.
Arteta is hopeful of bringing through more talent from Hale End this season, with several upcoming stars tipped for a breakthrough in the coming months.
Ethan Nwaneri is unquestionably the most likely to be integrated into the manager’s first team plans during the 2024/25 campaign, having been named in the matchday squad for the opening three Premier League games.
At just 17, the attacking midfielder is poised for big things this season although, he’s not the only rising star who is becoming difficult for Arteta to ignore.
Arsenal U21 star Ismeal Kabia scored against Leyton Orient in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy
On Tuesday night, Arsenal’s U21 side kicked off their 2024/25 Bristol Street Motors Trophy campaign against League One outfit Leyton Orient.
It was a chance for several starlets to show their worth against first-team opposition, which the Gunners did by sealing a 2-1 win.
Goals from Josh Robinson and Ismeal Kabia secured the victory for the young guns, with Kabia continuing his stellar form in the 2024/25 calendar.
At just 18 years old, Kabia has sent a message to Arteta this season, having already contributed to three goals for the U21’s side.
The right winger got on the scoresheet against Orient on Tuesday evening, adding to his goal and assist from his opening three Premier League 2 appearances.
It’s incredibly impressive from the teenager, who earned high praise after the victory by X scouting account, Next Generation Arsenal.
The winger was described as ‘the quickest’ winger the avid academy follower had seen, lauded for his ‘rapid pace’ and a trajectory that could see him be ‘really impactful’ in North London.
Mikel Arteta should be watching Kabia closely
If there’s one position that Arteta should be monitoring in the academy, it’s the wide areas, as Arsenal’s first team are incredibly short in that area.
Kabia is still a raw talent, as expected at just 18 however, now is the perfect time for the teen to announce himself as a deadly force in the U21’s side.
Fortunately, that’s exactly what the Dutchman is doing, having contributed to three goals in his side’s opening four games, in which the Gunners have recorded four wins.
The Arsenal boss should have been alerted to Kabia’s display against Orient, where he not only scored but ran the show on the right side of attack, completing 100% of his dribbles and winning three of his duels, via Sofascore.
It’s an exciting time for those at Hale End, with there more talent than just Nwaneri forcing themselves into Arteta’s line of sight.
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