Arsenal's Hale End academy has often been revered across the Premier League, but over the past few years it has taken that extra step forward. The implementation of Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson as regulars in the first team over the past year has only underlined the quality at the club and the pathway available.
The credit can be passed through the hierarchy, from academy manager Per Mertesacker to Mikel Arteta for the trust to give these players the game time they need to develop. One of the shining examples of this was when Ethan Nwaneri was handed his debut at Brentford, aged just 15 years old.
The midfielder had earned that opportunity after a host of injuries in the side, but progression is hardly linear and opportunities in the senior squad are hard to come by. Impressing for the under-18s and under-21s appears to be the way forward in gaining valuable experience, though his potential has been spotted elsewhere.
