5 Arsenal academy prospects who should join the first team for pre-season | OneFootball

As Arsenal prepare to travel to the USA for the start of their pre-season tour, we’re looking at which academy prospects should be joining them on the trip.

Before we go any further, it’s worth mentioning that this isn’t an easy decision for the Arsenal coaches. They already have a number of youth friendlies scheduled in England, so it’s not worth sending a player off to America if they’re not going to feature at all.

Instead, the club should only take along the very top prospects who could end up staking a claim for first-team spots when the season gets underway. Let’s have a look at the top five in contention.

Joe Willock

Willock was very impressive for the academy last season, and he looked ready for first-team chances. The midfielder scored three goals in six appearances for the senior side, and he should’ve had at least one more in the Europa League final.

With Aaron Ramsey gone and Arsenal’s transfer budget limited, someone needs to step up in the Welshman’s absence. With Willock’s 12 goals in all competitions last season, he could be the man to add more goal threat from midfield.

Bukayo Saka

Arguably Arsenal’s Academy Player of the Season, Saka was fantastic in 2018/19, scoring 14 goals and assisting 10 from the wing, as well as winning three penalties.

The 17-year-old was man-of-the-match in his only senior start against Qarabag, and he’s only improved his game under Freddie Ljungberg. He looks nailed-on to join the senior side on tour, after joining them in training this week.

The Gunners are clearly trying to invest in a new winger this summer, but even if they do, they’ll still need more rotation/backup options.

Reiss Nelson

Nelson didn’t have as many minutes for Hoffenheim as he would’ve wanted this season, but he still impressed in his limited game time in the Bundesliga.

Seven goals in 773 minutes (one every 110) is a great record for a teenager in one of Europe’s top five leagues and the Champions League.

Like Saka, Nelson has earned the chance to show he can at least make himself a squad option for the first team next season, and pre-season is the place to do so.

Tyreece John-Jules

John-Jules has been going from strength to strength since his call-up to the first-team for a friendly in March. He’s scored seven and assisted two in his last eight games across all competitions and age groups, including his brace against Boreham Wood on Saturday.

The 18-year-old is very similar to a young Lacazette, with excellent link-up play and consistent hard-working performances in and out of possession.

Even before he started scoring more regularly, John-Jules still brought a huge amount to the team, and he deserves a pre-season chance to do the same in the senior side.

Emile Smith Rowe

Initially, it seemed like Smith Rowe might be going back on loan this summer, but those rumours seem to have died down for now. Instead, he should get a chance to show whether he can fill the hole in midfield created by Ramsey’s departure, just like Willock.

Smith Rowe started last season excellently, scoring three goals in six senior games (again, just like Willock). Unfortunately, a persistent injury prevented him from playing any significant part in the remainder of the season, despite a loan to RB Leipzig.

The midfielder is possibly the biggest talent in the academy right now. He’s humble and hard-working, a confident finisher, strong dribbler and an intelligent passer. He just needs chances and an injury-free season.