The chances of making at a football club at the senior competitive level are extremely small. Smaller still at the Premier League level and the chances slim further when considering the elite clubs at the head of the pack.
Arsenal lead the way in the Premier League and have a number of Hale End graduates to thank for their progression to the top. However, this has not prevented the threat of potentially losing one of their stars of the future.
Mikel Arteta handed Ethan Nwaneri his first Premier League appearance in the 3-0 away victory over Brentford. He became the youngest ever player to make an appearance in the English top flight at 15 years and 181 days old, rather ridiculous.
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Arteta faced some backlash for this, with claims this was an unnecessary stunt and even undermined the positions of other young players currently playing in higher age groups to Nwaneri. However, there was a method behind the decision.
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Nwaneri’s future has been the subject of discussion for some time. football.london understands whilst talks continue with the club there has not been a breakthrough between the player’s side and Arsenal.
Nwaneri has been called up to the senior side for training and also took part in the mid-season tour in the middle east and featured against Juventus in a friendly at the Emirates Stadium. This combined with the substitute appearance in the league has been a clear attempt to show the pathway and opportunities available should he stay with the club.
Yet, he could still leave. And whilst this would be a disappointment it would not be a ground-breaking blow for the club with talented players having moved on throughout its history.
Last summer Omari Hutchinson made the choice to switch from north to west London and join Chelsea. A decision which in reflection looks somewhat of a mistake considering the forwards Todd Boehly has since invested in such as Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke.
Arsenal saw the likes of Serge Gnabry, Donyell Malen, Yunus Musah and Ismael Bennacer leave and go on to have varying levels of success. In their stead, both Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have progressed and become two key members of Arteta’s team.
Not only that but Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson have scored goals late on against Manchester United and Bournemouth respectively to hand Arsenal four more points than it appeared they’d receive. With Arsenal have a five-point lead over Manchester City as things stand, these could prove decisive should the Gunners take the league crown in May.
Having four players who have directly contributed to the league season’s success is a massive plus for the club. Title rivals Manchester City have the impressive Phil Foden, have used Rico Lewis in some parts of this season, but have very little beyond the duo besides Cole Palmer whose career has arguably stalled.
Nwaneri might leave, this is the reality, and if he does then Arsenal certainly won’t rest on their laurels. With Folarin Balogun and Charlie Patino to return from their loan spells in the summer, Arteta has two more Hale Enders to make decisions on for their futures.
Not to mention the exciting talent scattered among the under-21s and under-18s such as Amario Cozier-Duberry, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Lino Sousa and Reuell Walters. Young players will come and go but the track record for success in the first team highlighting the clear pathway cannot be a reason why any player would choose to leave.
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