Revealed: Supporters vote on who the best academy prospect is
- Adam Hamdani
- @Adam23Hamdani
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Arsenal have, in fairness to them, a ridiculous amount of talent coming through the academy systems at the moment.
Not many clubs possess such a breadth of talent, from the goalkeepers to the defence to midfield creators and those who can martial in front of the defence, even to the wide men and centre forwards – the Gunners are blessed with talent.
So much so that some are even breaking into the first-team, in recent years the likes of Hector Bellerin, Jack Wilshere, Francis Coquelin and now Alex Iwobi have become a part of the first-team, key components arguably.
But who is the best player the club have in the academy? Read Arsenal ran a Duel earlier this week and supporters have had their say.
From the likes of Ben Sheaf to Gedion Zelalem and Hugo Keto, find out who Arsenal’s best academy prospect is by having a click through the slideshow below.
22. Glen Kamara (Duels won: 9%)
The Southend United loanee came bottom of the list, winning just 9% of his Duels.
He’s a pretty good central midfielder though.
21. Josh Dasilva (Duels won: 10%)
A good striker, but somewhat unknown at this stage.
Won 10% of his Duels, a name to look out for nevertheless.
20. Marcus McGuane (Duels won: 13%)
An impressive midfielder, McGuane is well established but seemingly not that highly rated by supporters.
He won just 13% of his Duels.
19. Hugo Keto (Duels won: 14%)
The ‘keeper is a good player and has established himself in the under-18’s, winning 14% of his Duels.
18. Eddie Nketiah (Duels won: 16%)
Nketiah recently signed his professional deal, making him a fairly unknown quantity.
Good player again, one to watch. Won 16% of his Duels.
17. Ben Sheaf (Duels won: 17%)
Perhaps surprisingly, Sheaf comes in at 17th. He’s a solid midfielder and has a lot of talent but won just 17% of his Duels.
16. Kaylen Hinds (Duels won: 20%)
Hinds is a good striker and values himself as such, winning 20% of his Duels isn’t bad, but it’s not great.
15. Yassin Fortune (Duels won: 21%)
Fortune arrived not too long ago from Lens and is a good player but hasn’t shown too much of himself at this stage.
Winning 21% of his Duels is a respectable number, all things considered.
14. Joe Willock (Duels won: 24%)
Willock is a good player and can play in a number of positions, a creative and good dribbler, who won nearly a quarter of his Duels.
13. Ismael Bennacer (Duels won: 26%)
Bennacer has a very good left foot and is tidy on the ball, he won 26% of his Duels and could look to break into the first-team next season.
12. Isaac Hayden (Duels won: 28%)
Despite being arguably the most advanced of any of the academy stars, Hayden, on loan at Hull City, misses out on the top 11 with 28% of his Duels won.
11. Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Duels won: 29%)
The winger is really good at football and is definitely one to look out for, but he just misses out on the top 10 academy prospects, winning 29% of his Duels.
10. Stephy Mavididi (Duels won: 33%)
A very good striker, Mavididi won a decent 33% of his Duels, could he make any first-team appearances in the next 18 months?
9. Julio Pleguezuelo (Duels won: 42%
Arsenal’s under-21’s captain won just under half of his Duels at 42% and will look to persuade supporters with a loan move away next season.
8. Chris Willock (Duels won: 51%)
Chris Willock has had a couple of bench appearances for the first-team and will likely go on loan next season, failing that he’ll continue with the under-21’s.
Won 51% of his Duels.
7. Donyell Malen (Duels won: 54%)
Malen is a threat of a striker and scores goals for fun at club and international level for the youth sides, winning 54% of his Duels.
6. Dan Crowley (Duels won: 54%)
Crowley, most likened to Jack Wilshere in his style of play, just misses out on the top five with 54% of his Duels won.
5. Krystian Bielik (Duels won: 58%)
The Poland international is arguably the club’s most exciting midfield talent coming out of the academy and won 57% of his Duels, placing him fifth.
4. Chuba Akpom (Duels won: 69%)
Has a great style to his game – quick on his feet, a decent finisher and good with the ball, Akpom won a very good 69% of his Duels.
On to the top three…
3. Jon Toral (Duels won: 70%)
Winning 70% of his Duels, Toral is a good attacking midfielder with flair and a goalscoring touch.
Will he break into the first-team next season?
2. Gedion Zelalem (Duels won: 76%)
Gedion Zelalem is a fantastic midfielder with the touch, ball control and passing range to become an Arsenal regular.
Supporters agree, with him winning 76% of his Duels.
1. Jeff Reine-Adelaide (Duels won: 90%)
The best academy prospect that Arsenal have, as voted for by the supporters is Jeff Reine-Adelaide.
The Frenchman is exciting, has made first-team appearances and is great on the ball. He could be a world beater.