Ian Wright says Arsenal should give Balogun, Nelson, and Azeez a chance

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Former Arsenal hero and regular pundit, Ian Wright, has said he would like to see a number of young Gunners included in the squad from now on.

Arsenal’s season is peetering out into a bit of a whimper in all honesty. Despite seeing off West Brom yesterday, the Gunners are struggling to even qualify for Europe, let alone the top four.

Mikel Arteta is blessed with plenty of young talent in his squad, however. And in fairness, he has given some their chance, while others like Joe Willock and Ainsley Maitland-Niles have done well out on loan.

But Wright, speaking on Premier League productions, believes more should be given a chance now, including Folarin Balogun.

 “Someone like Reiss Nelson. I felt for Reiss. He got called back from being on loan in Germany. I know we had a big game in the Under-23s the other day. People like Miguel Azeez, people like Folarin Balogun, I would like to see them in the matchdays now,” Wright commented.

“I think the fans would like to see that so that it will give them a lift of what’s coming. If the youngsters are going in, these are the games you would like to think they should have at least been in the matchday squad. Maybe give them 10, 15 minutes to have a look at them.”

Balogun has recently signed a new deal with the club. Many believe the premise of that new agreement was more first-team minutes.

Nelson, meanwhile, has dipped down the pecking order despite Arteta branding him a ‘special player’ earlier this season.

TBR View: No harm here for Arsenal, especially with Balogun and Nelson

Azeez is probably one who might have to wait a bit but what is the point in having Balogun if the club aren’t going to use him?

The striker is clearly a big talent so to have him sat around is strange. Nelson is another who can count himself unlucky. He might well look at someone like Joe Willock and think a move this summer could be beneficial.

Either way, Ian Wright makes a good point here.