13 young prospects started their scholarship deals at Arsenal at the beginning of this season. Here’s a look at how the 2023 intake have progressed so far. Myles Lewis-Skelly The hugely talented midfielder has continued to develop well and...
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13 young prospects started their scholarship deals at Arsenal at the beginning of this season. Here’s a look at how the 2023 intake have progressed so far.
Myles Lewis-Skelly
The hugely talented midfielder has continued to develop well and earned his first competitive callup to the first-team for the Champions League game at home to Lens, while he was also named on the bench against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Lewis-Skelly has frequently trained with the senior squad and has featured prominently for the U21s, while he has also been involved in the UEFA Youth League. In addition, he gained experience with England at the U17 World Cup.
The 17-year-old is the only player in this group who has signed a professional contract so far.
Ethan Nwaneri
Having achieved the unprecedented feat of playing for Arsenal in the Premier League before signing his scholarship, Nwaneri has enjoyed an excellent first half of the season.
The 16-year-old has been called up twice for the first-team in the Champions League and will hope for further minutes at senior level soon.
Nwaneri has been one of Arsenal’s standout performers at U21 level with four goals in Premier League 2, while he hit the headlines with his five-goal haul for the U18s against Crewe Alexandra in the FA Youth Cup and also scored against PSV for the U19s in the UEFA Youth League.
Like Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri was involved for England at the U17 World Cup.
Bless Akolbire
A highly-regarded midfielder, Akolbire came into the season off the back of an injury-hit campaign and has struggled a little for momentum.
There have been some encouraging signs, though, as he scored for the U18s against Crystal Palace and was also named on the bench in the UEFA Youth League.
It is expected that Akolbire, who turns 17 in January, will really push on in the second half of the season.
Jakai Bascoe-Fisher
Another player who has had difficulties with injury, attacker Bascoe-Fisher made his competitive debut for the U18s against Middlesbrough in the Premier League Cup.
Capable of playing out wide or up front, Bascoe-Fisher is a lively presence in possession and will hope to get opportunities with the U18s in the second half of the season.
Dan Casey
A skilful attacking player, Casey has had his minutes managed following injuries.
Casey has featured for the U17s including at the recent Flamengo Adidas Cup in Brazil where he had some encouraging performances.
Reece Clairmont
A winger who can also play at left-back, Clairmont was involved with the U18s towards the end of last season but has been on the fringes so far this campaign.
Clairmont has featured just twice for the U18s in the league but will now be looking for more chances to impress.
Louie Copley
A hard-working midfielder who is an impressive passer, Copley has enjoyed an encouraging first half of the season.
Copley has impressed for the U18s and scored against his former club West Ham United at the start of the season. He also made his UEFA Youth League debut as a substitute against PSV.
Furthermore, Copley was named on the bench for the U21s and in the FA Youth Cup, indicating that he is highly rated at the club.
Ayden Heaven
Heaven has made excellent progress and stepped up to the U21s, making five appearances at that level. He was also heavily involved in the UEFA Youth League campaign and has often trained with the first-team.
Although he is mainly a centre-back, Heaven, who was previously a midfielder, has filled in at left-back at times.
Cam’ron Ismail
A left-back who played for the U21s as a schoolboy, Ismail has been involved with the U18s this season and has pushed forward to good effect at times.
Ismail has also been on the bench for the U21s including in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy as well as being called up to the U19 squad in the UEFA Youth League.
Max Kuczynski
Capable of operating as a centre-back or left-back, Kuczynski has yet to play for the U18s having struggled with injury.
The youngster is now back in training, though, and will hope to play soon.
Daniel Oyetunde
A striker who brings a lot of energy to the game, Oyetunde scored for the U18s against West Ham early in the season but hasn’t found the net since then.
Oyetunde featured twice for the U19s in the UEFA Youth League and was also called up to the U21 squad. He is also capable of playing out wide if required and is very skilful.
Zac Shuaib
A tall presence in midfield, Shuaib has made four appearances for the U18s so far this season.
Shuaib was also involved with the U17s during their trip to Brazil.
Will Sweet
Capable of playing at left-back or centre-back, Sweet has acquitted himself well for the U18s and scored against Norwich City.
The hard-working youngster capped off an encouraging first half of the season by being named on the bench against Crewe in the FA Youth Cup.
