Three Arsenal academy stars likely to enjoy breakthrough in 2024

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Arsenal have done well on the academy front in recent years, with several Hale End gems going to become first-team players.

Bukayo Saka is obviously the biggest talent to emerge through the Gunners academy in recent years, then we’ve also had the likes of Reiss Nelson, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah do well.

With 2024 on the horizon, who could be next to make the breakthrough from the Arsenal youth setup?

The Boot Room takes a look at three Gunners talents who could be set for a good year.

Reuell Walters

Reuell Walters has been in and around the Arsenal first team of late, and has made multiple matchday squads over the past 12 months.

The 19-year-old defender went on the first-team’s pre-season tour of Germany this summer, where he gave a great account of himself.

As per football.london, Walters is ‘a versatile player, typically operating as a right-back but more than capable of being utilised in central defence as well considering his impressive physical qualities and intelligent reading of the game that exceeds his age.’

Back in August, Football Transfers claimed that ‘multiple conversations have been held’ over giving Walters the chance to impress in the first team.

Some insiders at Arsenal apparently rate the teenager so highly, they believe he can ‘become as good as William Saliba.’

A former coach at the Emirates Stadium also described Walters as being “the full package,” as quoted by The Athletic.

Walters, who has 16 youth appearances this term, is yet to make his competitive senior debut for Arsenal, but if all goes well, this could potentially come in 2024.

Let’s see whether Mikel Arteta decides to send him out on loan in January or whether he sticks around before potentially linking up with an EFL team in the summer.

Myles Lewis-Skelly

Myles Lewis-Skelly is a 17-year-old midfielder who has become a bit of a regular in Arsenal first-team training sessions as well as featuring prominently for the Gunners Under-21s this term.

This season, the Hale End gem has made 12 appearances at youth level, and made the bench against Brighton last time out, as well as against Lens in the Champions League.

In terms of his style of play, Charles Watts wrote on Goal.com: “Lewis-Skelly possesses almost everything you need to be a top player.

“He’s excellent with the ball at his feet thanks to his impressive technique and he has the engine needed to be able to get from box to box.

“He doesn’t have the physical stature of someone like Patrick Vieira in terms of his height, but he is extremely strong and looks like he will grow and mature into a powerful presence in midfield, but one who also has the impressive technical ability to make something happen out of nothing.”

Arsenal youth coach Jack Wilshere sung the youngster’s praises back in April, describing him as a “top kid” when speaking to The Athletic.

Last year, Arsenal youth team expert Jeorge Bird wrote on his website that Lewis-Skelly is ‘undoubtedly one of the most talented youngsters at the club and has much potential’.

Ethan Nwaneri

Out of the three players mentioned in this article, Ethan Nwaneri is the only one who has made his Arsenal senior debut. Indeed, this was a well-covered bit of news last year.

The Arsenal academy midfielder made a late cameo in the top-flight win over Brentford in September 2022, aged 15 years and 181 days.

Since then, Nwaneri has kicked on, to the point that Mikel Arteta needs to think about his short-term future right away, potentially by sending him out on loan to an EFL side in January.

Earlier in December, Nwaneri featured in an FA Youth Cup tie against Crewe Alexandra and scored five goals en route to a 7-1 win.

And at Premier League 2 level, he has four goals and two assists from just five appearances. This is remarkable for a 16-year-old playing at Under-21 level.

In summer, Nwaneri reportedly penned a scholarship deal at Arsenal and also agreed to sign his first professional contract when he turns 17 in March 2024.

At the time, The Athletic‘s Art de Roche wrote about the prodigy: “His technical ability has been displayed with his close control when dribbling as well as his clean finishing.

“His quick bursts of acceleration, eye for a pass and ability to ride a challenge also allowed him to stand out in youth football and have raised interesting discussions from a development standpoint.

“Arsenal have been attempting to make their young players positionally flexible in recent years and that is no different with Nwaneri.

“(Last season he) played as a No 10, a left-sided No 8, a centre-forward and off the left wing because he has attributes to thrive in each of those roles.”

This season, Nwaneri has also played on the right wing. Needless to say, he’s an incredibly exciting prospect and Arsenal should have him picking up first-team experience as of January.