Mikel Arteta has made a point of handing opportunities to promising Hale End academy starlets throughout Arsenal’s pre-season.
Arsenal played their penultimate pre-season friendly last night, as they thrashed Bayer Leverkusen 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium.
Although Mikel Arteta fielded an experienced starting XI against the German champions, he was still able to afford game time to several talented youngsters.
When it comes to youngsters in the Hale End academy system who are pushing to break into the first team, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly are at the top of the list. Both were brought on against Bayer Leverkusen last night.
Lewis-Skelly has been re-training as a left-back, despite being a midfielder by trade, and replaced Oleksandr Zinchenko at half-time. Meanwhile, Nwaneri was introduced to the action with around half an hour to go, coming on in place of Martin Odegaard.
Odegaard has mentored Nwaneri in the past, suggested that the 17-year-old is being prepared for a role in that part of the pitch.
Mikel Arteta shares plan for Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly
Lewis-Skelly impressed against Bayer Leverkusen. The England under-18 international produced some eye-catching touches, and played with confidence. However, he was caught out of position once or twice.
Arteta had instructions for Lewis-Skelly after the final whistle, but overall the 17-year-old can be very proud of his performance.
As for Nwaneri, with each passing appearance he looks more and more at home in the senior side. He is positive on the ball, aggressive in his attacking play, and already looks capable of dealing with the physical demands of first team football.
The established Arsenal stars clearly trust Nwaneri, and Arteta has now reinforced his faith in the youngster too.
The manager is clearly keen to give this duo more opportunities to impress. Speaking after the win over Bayer Leverkusen, as quoted by the club’s official website, he said: “If they continue like they are doing right now. There is no difference whether they come from the academy or we sign them from Germany or Argentina or Italy.
“If they are showing the quality that they have, the personality they have to play at this level… let’s see. Why would we put any restrictions? If they deserve minutes, they get minutes.”
Arsenal looking to make progress at academy level
The Gunners’ academy system has always been a hugely important part of the club, and is now being overseen by former centre-back Per Mertesacker.
Jack Wilshere has big plans for his under-18s side, and Arteta will be keeping a close eye on the most promising players at that level. Arsenal have had success with promoting players from the youth ranks in recent years.
Current first team stars Bukayo Saka, Reiss Nelson, and Eddie Nketiah are all products of Hale End, and the manager will want to see their success replicated.
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