Who are Arsenal's best youth players? Nketiah, Sheaf and the ones to watch in 2017

Arsenal’s next crop of talented youngsters are looking to progress and earn a place in the Gunners' first team over the coming months and years. 

Alex Iwobi’s rise to the first team has shown the latest starlets at Hale End that they can go on to bigger and better things, with the Nigeria international now a regular in Arsene Wenger’s setup.

Wenger has traditionally blooded youth players in the League Cup but, after Arsenal’s exit to Southampton in the quarter-final last month, it’s unlikely that any of them will be given a first-team opportunity anytime soon, although the upcoming game against Preston in the FA Cup could feature several fringe players, including Chuba Akpom. 

However, Iwobi’s fast promotion into the senior squad will give many of those youngsters the belief that they can make it at Arsenal. Goal have taken a look at those most likely to feature in the first team over the course of the next year.

EDDIE NKETIAH

17-year-old Nketiah has already scored five goals in nine appearances for the under-23s this season and continues to impress up front. He joined Arsenal after failing to earn a scholarship with Chelsea and claims it was one of the happiest days of his life when he heard of the Gunners’ interest.

"I was so down, but then Arsenal found out I was available, contacted my family and invited me to train," he said.

"Within a week I was told that I would be offered a scholarship. I think it is important to bounce back quickly from disappointment and Arsenal gave me the opportunity to do that."

The Blues reportedly decided to let Nketiah go due to his lack of physical presence, but it is something which he has evidently worked hard on since arriving at Arsenal. If he continues to score goals for the youth setup then it won’t be long before a first-team opportunity comes calling.  

REISS NELSON

Nelson signed a professional contract with Arsenal two days before Christmas. He’s a highly-rated, versatile forward and still only 17 years-old. 

The England youth international regularly trains with the first-team squad and had been on trial with Tottenham before joining his boyhood team Arsenal as a six-year old.

He told Arsenal.com: "I'd actually been on trial with Tottenham when I was six but was spotted by Arsenal scouts playing for my Sunday team, Moonshot in Catford.

“As soon as Arsenal showed an interest, I went straight to Hale End and left Spurs, because Arsenal were the team I supported."

BEN SHEAF

A composed midfielder able to distribute the ball through the eye of a needle, Sheaf arrived at Arsenal from West Ham in 2014. 
However, this season has been a change for Sheaf where he’s regularly played at centre-back in a bid to aid his development, keeping natural defender Kris Da Graca out of the team.

Sheaf is another youngster who regularly trains with the first-team squad before Premier League and Champions League games, emphasising how much Wenger rates his qualities.

AINSLEY MAITLAND-NILES

Maitland-Niles remains on course to become Arsenal’s second-choice right-back if he continues to play with consistency and maturity. 
He first announced himself on the big stage in 2014 when, aged 17 years and 102 days, he became Arsenal's second-youngest Champions League debutant. 

With Carl Jenkinson expected to go out on loan and Mathieu Debuchy likely to leave at the end of the season, it’s only a matter of time before Maitland-Niles pushes ever closer to the Gunners first team.

DONYELL MALEN

Malen left Ajax for north London last summer with a burgeoning reputation as one of Dutch football's finest young talents. 

He made 12 appearances for the U23s as a 16-year-old striker, scoring four goals and assisting one.

Represented by super agent Mino Raiola, it’s understandable why Arsenal did everything they could to sign Malen, even consulting Ajax coach and Gunners legend Dennis Bergkamp.

“Gianluigi Donnarumma is in the national team at 17 so he will continue to get better with Italy and AC Milan, Moise Kean is doing well at Juventus but the one who I am excited about is already with a Premier League club and that is Donyell Malen at Arsenal," said Raiola.

STEPHY MAVIDIDI

A hard-working forward who has been deployed across the front line, including at No.10, Mavididi is a deadly finisher after scoring 17 goals in 31 appearances last season.

Mavididi is another player who was regularly blooded in the first team throughout last season and will be hoping to push on in the coming weeks and month.

“I think in terms of style I’m similar to Danny Welbeck and I enjoyed playing with him in a recent Under-21s game”, Mavididi told Arsenal’s official website. 

“I’ve trained with the first team quite a lot, especially because of all the injuries that there were.”

CHRIS WILLOCK

At 18-years-old, WIllock is considered by many to be the latest gem in Arsenal's academy setup. Now a regular in the under-23s and training with the first team for two seasons, he's expected to push on in the coming season and battle for a first-team spot.

“He can have a go at people, can get past people in one on ones,” said Wenger. 

“I believe that he has the needed character when he has his back to the wall to always respond in a very strong way. That’s a very important quality, to be able to play under pressure.”

Wenger has already revealed that Willock is ready to feature in the Arsenal first team and it seems a loan move is likely within the next season.