It looks more likely that Arsenal will be losing a number of young stars from their ranks this summer. This is hardly out of the ordinary for a club like Arsenal where one out of thousands in an age group to make it at the senior level.
The Gunners have arguably seen a number of graduates on a scale way above expectation with Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson all a part of this season’s group. Yet, as the club rises in competitiveness at the top of the table in Europe, there’s a threat the pathways will close.
There is an expectation that Charlie Patino will leave the club this summer. football.london understands that the timing of his rise to the senior level with Arsenal’s own ambitions to massively strengthen their midfield leaves the 19-year-old unlikely to get regular football in Mikel Arteta’s side and therefore has decided a move this summer is the right path for him.
READ MORE: Arsenal make Charlie Patino decision as Champions League reality and Declan Rice aims emerge
Equally, it is understood that Folarin Balogun, who has scored frequently and impressed on loan in France with Reims, wants to again be a regular in a senior side next season. With both Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus ahead of him, it appears the likeliest route forwards is also away from the Gunners.
Whilst frustrating and sad to see such talented players potentially leave, there’s a strong argument that it is the right one for Arsenal to make. Liverpool, for instance, saw great talent in the likes of Rhian Brewster but recognised the path to the first team wasn’t immediate and made a significant amount of money on his departure to Sheffield United; a decision which in hindsight was proven to be the right one.
What Arsenal mustn’t do is fall into the trap of closing the door entirely on their youth side. Mikel Arteta needs to afford opportunities to young players to show those most talented coming through there is a reason to stay.
There’s a quintet of young players in the next generation whose pathway to the senior set-up is not immediately clear. Defenders Reuell Walters and Lino Sousa and midfielders Amario Cozier-Duberry, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri.
Nwaneri became the youngest Premier League player ever earlier this season in the 3-0 win over Brentford which Arteta received some unnecessary backlash for. The exercise showed the youngster the opportunities the club were willing to give him to convince him of his future.
Despite this, there are suggestions that big clubs are circling the star and he could be snapped up before he signs a professional contract with the club at 17. The other four look more likely to stay in the short-term at least but Arsenal, now out of the Europa League which had opened some doors to the youth in the recent past, will have to find chances to use their best talents.
The League Cup and early rounds of the FA Cup were Arsene Wenger’s preferred method. Mikel Arteta has often preferred to use pre-season or 2022’s mid-season break to give chances to the young stars.
Arsenal hope that their stars stay and flourish but tough decisions cannot be avoided. More may be to come as the victims of a title-challenging Arsenal begin to increase in number.
READ NEXT:
Stan Kroenke has already given £88m Arsenal transfer approval amid Rice and Caicedo double deal
Jamie Carragher tells Pep Guardiola he must block Arsenal transfer as Edu eyes Champions League star
Arsenal to register three new names in Premier League squad as rule changes come into effect
Mikel Arteta sends Stan Kroenke clear $144m Arsenal transfer task with Newcastle warning
Transfer news LIVE: Latest news, views and rumours from Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham
