Arsenal’s Hale End has produced excellent players over the past few years. Former Arsenal player and captain Per Mertesacker is currently Arsenal’s academy manager. He keeps an eye on all the hot talent in the academy and makes sure they develop and progress well to make it into the first team. Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe are some names who have reserved their places in the first teams in recent years.
Many players in the academy are on Mikel Arteta’s watchlist who could break into the first team soon. These youngsters have also been training with the first team sometimes.
So who are the three players?
Charlie Patino
First up on the list is 17 years old England-born midfielder Charlie Patino. Patino is a dynamic and flexible player who can play in different positions such as a central midfielder, as an attacking midfielder and also as number 10. His performance in matches in recent weeks has caught the eyes of many spectators and coaches. Arteta had also invited him to train with the first team last week to gain more experience. Charlie Patino is one of the brightest players in the academy who could have a great future ahead of him. The player signed a contract with the Gunners last season and, all the Arsenal fans hoping to see him play at the Emirates pitch as soon as possible.
Omar Rekik
Rekik joined Arsenal from Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin during last season’s January transfer window. The Tunisian International is a defender who could play as a centre-back or as a full-back. The 19-year-old has already played for many European clubs such as Feyenoord, Manchester City, PSV, and Marseille. Rekik is highly rated by the academy coaches and could soon make a way into the Arsenal first team. Alongside Patino, Rekik also often trains with the first team.
Omari Hutchinson
Hutchinson has been a part of the Arsenal Academy since he was 11 years old. He is one of the highly-rated youngsters in the academy and has progressed and developed well in recent years. In the Under-23 match against Crystal Palace, Hutchinson scored a sensational solo goal. When he was 12 years old, Hutchinson gained a decent amount of reputation when he had made a video with F2 Freestylers, which went viral on Youtube. The 17-year-old can play as an attacking midfielder, as a No. 10, and also as a winger.