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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Victor

Six Arsenal wonderkids ready to step up and provide Gunners with squad depth next season

After Arsenal missed out on top spot in the Premier League, questions have been asked of the Gunners' squad depth.

Mikel Arteta's side aren't mathematically out of it but, presuming Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Manchester City can make certain by beating Chelsea a day later. Even if the league leaders lose that game, they would need to suffer two further defeats to even give Arsenal a sniff.

The Gunners do have Champions League football to look forward to next season, though, and a bigger squad would be needed even without the recently-aired concerns. Summer recruitment is bound to follow, but there could also be opportunities for graduates of the club's famed academy.

A number of Hale End graduates have made the step up, with current first team stars Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe among them. With Arsenal's under-18s reaching the FA Youth Cup final, and the under-21s holding their own in Premier League 2 despite losing talents on loan, more could follow.

Not every academy star is guaranteed to be around next term, with Charlie Patino and Ethan Nwaneri both linked with exits. Here, Mirror Football looks at some of the others who could feature next term.

Reuell Walters

Which Arsenal youngsters are you most excited about? Have your say in the comments section

Reuell Walters played in the FA Youth Cup final for Arsenal (PA)

Defender Walters was part of Arsenal's pre-season touring party last summer, and followed that inclusion with a spot in multiple matchday squads this season. A senior debut still awaits, but he has been on the bench for six Premier League games as well as the Europa League match away to Sporting CP.

The youngster can play at right-back or in the centre of defence, potentially offering important cover. When he's not excelling at age group level, he has a tidy sideline in Fortnite.

Catalin Cirjan

Cirjan's Arsenal breakthrough might have come sooner, were it not for a serious knee injury. The Romanian credited David Luiz with helping him work his way back, and the biggest reward could come soon.

Catalin Cirjan has made the first-team bench this season (David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

A midfielder, Cirjan has made 19 appearances in Premier League 2 this term after signing a new contract last summer. He was also on the bench for four of Arsenal's Europa League group games, though he didn't make it onto the pitch.

Omari Benjamin

Arsenal might not have claimed victory in the FA Youth Cup final, but they did go in front against West Ham. The man responsible was Welsh forward Benjamin - his third goal in the competition, to go along with 11 for the under-18s in league matches.

He has already stepped up and played a few games for the under-21s, pointing to the high hopes some have. It may be the case that he's sent out on loan next term, but Arteta has shown a willingness to give minutes to teenagers if they have the quality.

Zane Monlouis

Centre-back Monlouis has worn the captain's armband on a couple of occasions for the under-21s this term. Still just 19, he has been allowed time to develop since signing his first pro deal in 2020.

Zane Monlouis has played his part for Arsenal's under-21 side (David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

He is one of a number of up-and-coming defenders to impress, earning chances to train with the first-team. After travelling to the mid-season training camp in Dubai, he may have higher hopes this summer.

Amario Cozier-Duberry

After seeing team-mate Nwaneri earn Premier League minutes, 17-year-old winger Cozier-Duberry made the bench for the first time in the competition on Boxing Day. He was named among Arteta's subs three more times, including for the home league game against Manchester City in February.

The teenager has been a regular for the under-21 side, netting in the EFL Trophy, and also netted for England's under-19s in a Euros qualifier against Turkey in March. Next up: senior minutes?

Marquinhos

Marquinhos has spent part of the season on loan at Norwich (Joe Toth/REX/Shutterstock)

While some youngsters might find themselves headed out on loan, this has already happened for Marquinhos. The Brazilian scored his first Gunners goal in the Europa League group stage, but has spent the second half of the campaign on loan at Norwich.

His time at Carrow Road has been a challenge with the Canaries falling short of a play-off spot. He has received some praise from manager David Wagner, though, with the former US international speaking highly of the ex-Sao Paulo man's technique ahead of a return to North London.

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