Any signing Arsenal may consider in January needs a reality check of the club’s self-sustaining model.
That being said, are there any new signatures from summer now?
Excited or rewarded by watching your own homegrown talents flourish in the famous red and white?
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The answer is definitely no, at least for me, because nothing beats a true fan’s heart more than seeing their own youth product become an integral part of the first team.
It’s a delight that Arsenal fans had long denied in the Wenger era, only to have Ashley Cole and Jack Wilshere actually broke up.
Not since the 1980s, when we saw Tony Adams, David Rocastle, Michael Thomas, and Paul Merson as the backbone of George Graham’s title-winning teams, have we really been doing our own week by week? able to please.
Bukayo Saka and Emil Smith among Rowe Arteta’s first names
team sheet, and the latter is now joined by his friend in the England team.
The hype about Hell and its transformation under Per Mertesacker and his staff is tangible at present and it undoubtedly leads to an expectation that there will be more exciting young players for the first team in the near future.
On a cautionary note, however, with no additional Europa League football, and with so many first-team not getting minutes, opportunities are scarce. But here are some who can achieve success …
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Charlie Patino
I’m not sure there was any doubt that the discussion surrounding Patino is worthy.
But if that was the case, it soon evaporated after scoring with his first shot for the Gunners on his dream debut against Sunderland in the Carabao Cup.
The highly technical midfielder was due to bench for a League Cup tie at home to AFC Wimbledon, only for Mo Alleny to declare himself fit.
More minutes are needed.
Arteta has had Patino in and around his squad for over a year now and has
suggested that unlike Miguel Aziz, who had been loaned to Portsmouth, the youngster like he suspected would be allowed to progress without loan.
Handing him his much-awaited debut again at Sunderland is a sure sign that could happen.
So, could this 18-year-old affect Arteta and Edu’s relocation plans in early January?
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Omari Hutchison
Behind Patino in the promotional ranks should be the exciting, skillful attacking midfield talent Omari Hutchison.
Most comfortable just ahead of Patino in 4-2-3-1, a talented playwright like Smith Rowe, whom he wants to emulate, can also play on any flank.
He particularly enjoys biting into his explosively precise left foot from the right.
The youngster has some experience with the first team in the pre-season in Scotland and has been invited to train like his teammate on several occasions.
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folarin balogun
After a long run, should he not sign the contract saga, I think most Arsenal supporters expect to see far more strikers this season. ,
Certainly, it has baffled many by how few minutes the free-scoring youngster has been afforded while Eddie Neketia has featured.
With five goals in three November matches, the U23 captain has been named Premier League Two Player of the Month.
Of course, being prolific and influential at that level doesn’t always translate to superiors, but he doesn’t really have enough opportunity to show us.
Mertesacker recently suggested that Balogun needs a loan and will make it available in January, but Nketiah has since confirmed that he will not be signing a loan.
The New Deal and Aubameyang have shown indiscipline.
Will these developments change the plans of the clubs?
Many fans would expect this.
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Arthur Okonkwo
With Ramsdale now confirmed as Arsenal’s number one, 20-year-old Arthur Okonkwo, who has been at the club since the age of eight, could get a chance this season.
The giant shot-stopper has been promoted to the first-team matchday squad of late, with former first-team keeper Bernd Leno being favored and perhaps leaving as early as January.
With so many young goalkeepers vying for a chance to step up, the six-foot-five-inch giant has outdone his rivals.
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While it may scare the fanbase, it only hurt Ramsdale to call out Okonkwo.
There are many others I could mention such as tricky winger Kido Taylor-Hart, now full Tunisian international center back Umar Rekik, or indeed Danish striker Mika Biereth, who has made his mark since being pinched by Arsenal at Fulham, But the reality is no one will get a chance before May.
However, I know all three are rated highly by the club so check it out
Summer and pre-season bring opportunities for loans and friendships.
Follow David Seeger Twitter For more thoughts on Arsenal.
