Arsenal aren’t reaping the benefits of every player who has found success from the academy, with one star making a name for himself overseas.
Arsenal’s academy has hugely benefited Mikel Arteta in recent years, with the 2024/25 campaign as bright as ever for Hale End.
Myles Lewis-Skelly just penned a new contract on the back of his breakthrough from the academy, growing alongside Ethan Nwaneri.
The duo have a remarkable mentor in Bukayo Saka, a Hale End product himself who has gone on to become one of the world’s best wingers, showing those up and coming in N5 what is possible.
Arsenal academy product Yunus Musah linked to Premier League transfer
While Arteta is loving what is being produced at Hale End, with Max Dowman set to be added to the first team over the next year, not every player formed in the academy has gone on to thrive at Arsenal.
One example is Donyell Malen, who signed for Aston Villa in January after being sold for less than £1m by Arsene Wenger.
Another example is a player making the headlines amid the 2025 summer transfer window, as Yunus Musah is a talent admired in the Premier League.
In 2019, Musah left Arsenal to sign for Valencia’s B team, bidding farewell to North London after seven years.
After joining Hale End as a nine-year-old, the United States international played alongside some top talents in the academy, including Saka, with whom he shared the pitch three times.
The central midfielder, who became a part of Valencia’s first team before signing for AC Milan, is now wanted in England, as Wolves and Nottingham Forest are eyeing the 22-year-old.
Italian journalist Luca Bianchin revealed that the Premier League is now the ‘most likely destination’ for Musah, who could return to England six years after leaving.
Milan value the midfielder between £20m and £25m, with Forest recently initiating talks.
Musah appreciated his time at Hale End
A return to England would be a remarkable achievement for Musah, who acknowledged that he needed to leave Arsenal in order to progress.
In a recent interview, Musah revealed his admiration for Arsenal’s academy, insisting that those at Hale End were ahead of their time.
The 22-year-old’s career was shaped by his time in North London, and now, he could benefit another Premier League club.
It will be fascinating to see how the American fares in the Premier League after leaving Arsenal, with Wolves and Forest willing to battle for his signature.
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