Arsenal pride themselves on having one of the best and most prestigious academies in European football – and they have the track record to back up that reputation.
Mikel Arteta’s current squad contains Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah, who all came through the academy set-up, while Folarin Balogun, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Reiss Nelson could all be involved next season after spending time away from the club on loan. That is a very decent hit rate, considering the vast majority of academy graduates never make the club’s first team.
Smith Rowe and Saka are both well established in Arteta’s side and they will be joined by Nketiah next season after the 23-year-old striker committed his future to the club by penning a long-term contract . The move was a significant one for the Gunners following the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and news that Alexandre Lacazette will follow suit.
