Arsenal have enjoyed success with producing quality players from the Hale End academy in recent years. Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have both progressed through the club's academy to become valuable members of Mikel Arteta's first team squad since the Spainard’s arrival.
The pair have made a combined 236 appearances for the Gunners with Saka also warranting himself a place in Gareth Southgate's England squad for the World Cup this month. Despite missing large parts of the current campaign due to injury, Smith Rowe is set to play a key role in Arsenal's title race with Manchester City in the second half of the season when he returns to full fitness.
As Arteta's first team prepares to return to domestic action on Boxing Day, work is already underway at London Colney to perfect the next generation of Gunners stars. Earlier this campaign, we saw Ethan Nwaneri make his senior debut at 15 years, 5 months and 23 days to become the Premier League youngest ever player.
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Since the 3-0 win over Brentford, Nwaneri has continued his development with the Under-18s and has not featured for Arteta's first team since. However, there remains high hopes that the teenager will follow the pathway of Saka to become a star at the Emirates Stadium.
Unfortunately for Arsenal, they face the tough task of keeping hold of their star wonderkids. According to The Secret Scout, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City are keen on signing Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
football.london understands that the club are confident of extending the pair's contracts at north London when they turn 17 and are eligible to sign professional contracts. At just 16 and 15, respectively, Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri are currently out in Dubai with the first-team with a chance to impress Arteta.
Nwaneri isn't currently eligible for a scholarship until he turns 16 in March, meaning he has no long-term commitment to the club. It remains to be seen how the pair's future plays out but there remains hopes that the club will do their very best to extend their stay at the Emirates Stadium.
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