Arsenal wonderkid compared to William Saliba named among best Premier League academy stars

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Arsenal continue to produce impressive academy talent for the future of the senior team, with several stars already involved in the squad.

Bukayo Saka has been the guiding light for other youngsters to follow, as Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Max Dowman all work their way into the senior side.

While that new trio are viewed as top prospects for the future at Arsenal, they aren’t the only ones looking to progress and make an impact.

One youngster has been tipped as one of the best academy talents in the world, and his comparisons to William Saliba have only increased the excitement surrounding him.

Arsenal youngster Marli Salmon named among Next Generation 2025 picks

While focus has been placed on some of those stars already making an impact on the Arsenal senior side, the academy continues to flourish with other youngsters who are still developing.

Among them is Marli Salmon, a young defender who is already rising in the ranks of the academy.

At just 16 years old, the defender has already become a regular part of the Arsenal under-21s, showing just how impressive his rise is.

Salmon was named in the Arsenal pre-season tour squad in Asia in the summer, with Mikel Arteta clearly keeping an eye on him.

As a defender, it can be challenging to break through, as the position often sees players reach their peak later in their careers.

The centre-back will look to defy that, with Salmon’s comparisons to Saliba showing how a young defender can make an impact early in their career.

Now, the youngster has been named among the best academy talents in the Premier League for 2025, as part of the Guardian’s “Next Generation” list.

The report often profiles 20 of the best first-year scholars at their respective clubs, highlighting those who could have a bright future.

Salmon isn’t the only star to have featured on the list, with the previous few lists including some interesting names for the Gunners.

Which Arsenal players have made the last five Next Generation lists

2024 – Jack Porter

Last season’s pick for Arsenal was young goalkeeper Jack Porter.

The shot-stopper made a surprise debut for the Gunners in a clash with Bolton in the Carabao Cup, where he was filling in for multiple injuries and absences.

Porter impressed, as he became the youngest-ever Arsenal player to start a match.

He has since been featuring for the academy sides, with plenty of work to be done for the young goalkeeper to make another appearance in the future.

2023 – Myles Lewis-Skelly

Myles Lewis-Skelly’s recent rise at Arsenal explains everything about how good he is and can be.

While a midfielder by trade, the 18-year-old has found a way to fit into the team as a full-back, inverting into the central ranks to help Arteta’s tactics.

A new contract for Lewis-Skelly outlines just how impressive he has been, with two years that have seen him move from a potential star into a guaranteed senior player.

2022 – Omari Benjamin

Young striker Omari Benjamin was viewed as a player with plenty of potential, which he still has.

In 2024, the forward left Arsenal to join Premier League rivals Everton, where he is getting game time in the Premier League 2.

Benjamin is yet to get a call-up to the Toffees’ senior squad, but at 19, there is plenty of time for him to feature.

2021 – Reuell Walters

Versatile youngster Reuell Walters was tipped for big things, but in 2024, he made the move away from Arsenal to join Luton Town.

The 20-year-old has hardly featured for the club this season, however, as he looks to build up more experience in the EFL.

2020 – Charlie Patino

Charlie Patino was once viewed as the future of the Arsenal midfield, with impressive loan spells at Blackpool and Swansea standing him in good stead.

However, in 2024, he decided to leave the Gunners in search of a new opportunity with Deportivo La Coruna.

While Patino isn’t a guaranteed starter, he has started to make more of an impact in La Liga 2, with plenty of appearances from the bench.