Every year a new set of Arsenal youngsters emerge as potential talents of the future and it will be worth keeping an eye on the development of these five players throughout 2014.
DAN CROWLEY
Crowley needs little introduction to most Arsenal supporters following his high-profile move from Aston Villa in the summer. A playmaker with superb vision and technical qualities, he suffered an injury setback earlier this season but is now fully recovered and was in scintillating form during the destruction of Torquay United in the FA Youth Cup recently. He should progress into the U21 side before the end of the season despite being just 16 years of age.
AINSLEY MAITLAND-NILES
Another 16 year old, Maitland-Niles is a rapid winger who has already trained with the first-team squad. The Hale End product has been a regular in the U21 and UEFA Youth League sides so far this season after featuring for the U18s whilst still a schoolboy. Powerful and dynamic, Maitland-Niles is a promising player but will be seeking to add more goals to his game.
JULIO PLEGUEZUELO
Like Crowley, Pleguezuelo was acquired in the summer, with the centre-back joining from Barcelona’s renowned La Masia Academy. Although not the tallest, he is very quick across the ground and is comfortable in possession, with the fact that he has already represented the club at U21 level demonstrating just how highly he is regarded by the coaching staff.
TAFARI MOORE
A player who followers of the Arsenal youth set-up are likely to see a lot of in 2014, Moore is a right-back who broke into the U18 side last season whilst still a schoolboy. This season, following the departures of Hector Bellerin and Nico Yennaris on loan, he has been propelled into the U21 side and, although he still has some improvements to make, he possesses raw quality in abundance and is adept at raiding down the right flank.
CHRIS WILLOCK
The only schoolboy featured on this list, Willock has already featured for the club at U18 level and is expected to receive plenty of further opportunities to impress in the near future. Capable of playing in most advanced midfield positions, but most comfortable as a playmaker, Willock is somewhat slight physically, but the England U16 international is capable of bamboozling defenders with his trickery.
