Arsenal’s more senior players struggled to find their form last campaign, but their youngsters thrived, as we can clearly see from this year’s Golden Boy nominations.
The award is given to one impressive young footballer playing in Europe and as many as four Arsenal players have made the extensive nominees list which consists of 100 players under the age of 21.
Unsurprisingly, two of Arsenal’s most prominent young stars, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, have been nominated, whereas the on loan William Saliba, and academy forward, Folarin Balogun, have also performed to a level that has merited significant recognition.
That is according to Football Talent Scout, Jacek Kulig, who also reports that the award is given to the player with the biggest potential in the game.
Saka, who was crowned Arsenal’s Player of the Season last season after 51% of fans voted for him to win the award, has made a dream start to his career in his first two seasons of regular senior football, and his performances have earned him a deserved place in England’s talented Euro 2020 squad.
On the other hand, Martinelli, who spent a large part of the 2020/21 season on the sideline through injury, has become a fan favourite at the Emirates and now looks poised to force his way into Mikel Arteta’s starting XI come the start of the new Premier League season.
Saliba is yet to make a first-team appearance for Arsenal despite signing for the club for £27m two years ago, but his performances helped Nice to finish ninth in Ligue 1 after a convincing loan spell at the club.
Meanwhile, Balogun, who signed a contract extension with the Gunners in April after months of speculation about his future, topped the Arsenal Under-23s goalscoring chart last campaign and looks set to be involved in the squad next season.
The four nominees will be looking to kick on next campaign, and after Arsenal had their worst season in 25 years, we should really expect to see them feature regularly for the Gunners in all competitions.
