The Arsenal youth side has been a revelation under the tutelage of Kevin Betsy as the new under 23s head coach. Steve Bould could only aid in the side’s narrow escape from relegation last season, but Betsy has the team of prospects top of the pyramid after 12 games.
Arsenal have been seeing some great success from Hale End for the first team with both Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe crucial parts of the Gunners senior squad and now both full England internationals.
In the market, the club has also benefitted from the major sales of Joe Willock and Alex Iwobi who both brought in a combined figure in the region of £50 million.
With the exciting talents still in the academy, this will draw plenty of interest from the wider footballing world looking to poach their young stars.
It is important that Mikel Arteta continues to show that a route into the senior setup is available to the very best in order to convince them the club is the right place to be.
Folarin Balogun recently signed a new contract with the club and credited the England senior pair’s route to the first team
"Bukayo and Emile have shown me that if you just stick at something for long enough, eventually it will pay off,” Balogun said upon signing his new deal.
"I take huge inspiration from them. I thought both of them seemed ready when they were called up each and every time. I thought they definitely prepared, not just physically but also mentally, for the challenges. I think that's something I've learned from them."
With players such as Charlie Patino, Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand and Omari Hutchinson also catching the eye, it will be important for the club to tie them down.
Youth striker Mika Biereth, signed from Fulham last summer, has impressed and now football.london understands that he will be gradually integrated into the first team with a view to leaving on loan next season.
Another example of a route to senior football with the club that will aid in Arteta’s plan to see player’s like Patino remain with the squad into the long term.
Arteta spoke of why Patino was not included in the squad to face AFC Wimbledon earlier this season and said how he is being readied for his first inclusion.
"Charlie's been good. He played a practice match at Colney and he was really good,” he said. "Again, give him time and we will prepare him."
Barring an injury he would have been involved in the Leeds United squad during the 4th round, instead, Salah-Eddine experienced his first moments with the senior side on a matchday.
A new contract for Patino is yet to be officially announced despite it being expected he would sign soon after his 18th birthday. The opportunities being provided to his teammates are sure to encourage him that a new deal at the club is the right move for him.
Arteta is subtly building the foundations of both the senior side and an established route from the youth setup. With the confidence Arsenal as a club continues to show in the Spaniard, it is hardly a surprise to see this taking place.
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