Three Hale End youngsters ready to step up to the Arsenal first team in 2023
Currently, Arsenal has 34 senior players including those who are out on loan. If all 12 players loaned were to leave, the senior squad would consist of only 22 players, which is insufficient as the team needs at least 2 players for each position, an additional goalkeeper, and a few utility players.
Although the Premier League rules limit the club to only 25 registered players, players under 21 years old do not need to be included in the “List A” of 25. To compete in all competitions, including the Champions League, Arsenal needs to have enough depth in the squad, which would require a first team squad of 26-27 players.
If the current squad is reduced to 22, which includes the core players selected by manager Mikel Arteta this season, the team would need to add 4 or 5 new players. However, the club may not necessarily sign that many players, with the majority of funds potentially being spent on a central midfielder. The remaining spots in the first team squad will be filled by promoting young players.
Therefore, who are the 3 young players that we anticipate will make it to the first team squad next season?
Charlie Patino
The current standout player in the youth team is Patino. Although he initially struggled when given a chance to play in the senior team during the FA Cup last season, he appeared inexperienced and was out of his depth.
However, following a year on loan at Blackpool, Patino has developed both physically and mentally, and he now seems capable of making the step up to the first team.
As a result, Arsenal is not actively seeking to sign a replacement for Granit Xhaka, as Patino is seen as the player who will eventually take over that position.
Brooke Norton-Cuffy
The young player who has been considered as a promising right back for some time now, had his loan spell at Rotherham cut short and was then sent to Coventry, although the reason for this decision is unclear.
Currently, Ben White is the preferred right back for the team, with Takehiro Tomiyasu as his backup. White can also play as a centre back, while Tomiyasu is expected to be the second choice left back next season. As a result, the team could benefit from having a third right back option in case of injury, especially with Cedric likely to leave permanently in the summer.
However, since the team does not want to invest much in a third choice right back, promoting the promising young player would be a logical and sensible move.
Lino Sousa
The situation at left back is similar to that of right back. It is expected that Kieran Tierney will leave the team in the summer, with Tomiyasu taking his place.
This would leave the team with White and Oleksandr Zinchenko as the first choice full backs, with Tomiyasu providing cover for both positions.
As with the right back position, the team will need a third choice left back to ensure they are not stretched too thin. Lino Sousa, a highly rated teenager who was signed from WBA last summer, is a potential long-term replacement for Zinchenko.
However, he has only just turned 18 and may need to go out on loan next season, possibly with a recall clause in case of injuries. Nonetheless, Sousa is already training with the first team, so it seems like a natural transition from Tierney to Sousa.
Three Hale End youngsters ready to step up to the Arsenal first team in 2023
