Arsenal's Hale End academy production line has long provided a conveyor belt of talent for the first team.
There are a number of former Gunners graduates plying their trade in the Premier League and beyond, whilst Arsenal themselves are reaping the rewards of several prospects breaking trough over the past year.
Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe are the obvious names who have cemented first team opportunities recently, but there remains a fresh crop of talent on the fringes waiting for their own chance to impress manager Mikel Arteta.
football.london takes a look at four academy stars who are close to breaking into the senior set-up and look set to be handed a chance during pre-season.
Charlie Patino
(CM, CAM, no.10)
Considered by many within Arsenal as one of the finest prospects the club has produced in recent years, Patino's rise to fruition has continued over the past few weeks.
The 17-year-old was promoted to the first team after signing his first professional contract last season and has often played for higher age groups.
As first reported by football.london , the talented midfielder will gain more experiences by training regularly with the first team at London Colney this season.
Likened to Jack Wilshere for his technical ability and maturity at a young age, Patino will be hoping to further showcase his qualities over the coming campaign.
Catalin Cirjan
(CAM, Winger)
Another youngster who was promoted to the first team after wooing Mikel Arteta and his coaches in training.
The 18-year-old joined from Romanian side Viitorul Domnesti in 2019 and was fast-tracked to the under-23s following his exciting performances in midfield.
He can play as an attacking midfielder or on either flank and will get further opportunities to impress for the under-23s this season.
Omar Rekik
(CB/RB/DM)
Rekik made eight appearances for Hertha's second team, scoring one and assisting one from centre back.
He is highly regarded by academy chief Per Mertesacker who assured him that he will regularly train with the Arsenal first team upon signing for the club last January.
Netherlands-born Rekik, a senior Tunisian international who has previously played at youth level for the likes of Feyenoord, Manchester City, PSV and Marseille, has already captained the under-23s this season.
Omari Hutchinson
(AM, CAM, Winger)
Hutchinson is now expected to become a regular for the Under-23s this season, and he recently scored a magnificent solo effort in his third appearance for the team against Crystal Palace.
Hutchinson has been at Arsenal since the age of 11 and is able to play out wide or as a no.10. He's been used at left back in the past and is known for possessing excellent technical ability on the ball.
The 17-year-old revealed in a past interview that he idolises Bukayo Saka and coaching staff believe he could have what it takes to become the next youngster to follow in Saka's footsteps.
