Arsenal’s Youngster and the Loan Market

In the coming days, three highly touted Arsenal prospects will move out on loan. For Tyreece John-Jules, it’ll be Lincoln City. For Emile Smith-Rowe, Huddersfield Town. Eddie Nketiah only just returned from his loan at Leeds after being recalled, but will likely leave the club to another championship club in the coming days.

All three players have been limited to appearances at the Emirates since their emergence, restricted to cup or Europa league appearances and ultimately failing to break into the first team. This is why the loan market can be such a useful and important tool for Arsenal.

Hale End is producing talent at a fantastic rate currently. We’ve seen Bukayo Saka, Reiss Nelson, Joe Willock, and others break into the first team in the last couple of seasons, and many more are close to bridging that gap into the squad. This stage of a young player’s career is a delicate one. It requires strong coaching and plenty of game time. Arsenal have put a lot of work into determining the best place for their talents to go out on loan, as we have seen in the process of January’s deals. Arsenal have reportedly held interviews with clubs interested, making sure sufficient game time and coaching is guaranteed.

Another factor which will surely benefit Arsenal’s youngsters is the arrival of Mikel Arteta. He will know a lot of the youth players from his time at the club, some of which he even coached at some points. One player in particular who Arteta has taken a particular shine to is Reiss Nelson. Nelson holds very high hopes from Arsenal and England. Speaking about Nelson, the Arsenal boss said, “I am very pleased with him, how he’s training, how he’s reacting, how willing he is to learn”, Arteta went on, “He’s asking the right questions, I know about his ability, I’ve known him since I was here and I coached him when he was 16.”

Nelson has two goals for Arsenal this season but has seen a turn up in form since Arteta arrived. He scored the winner against Leeds in the FA Cup on Monday and he seems he can only keep getting better. Some have made comparisons to a young Raheem Sterling, due to the similar stature and style. Arteta coached Sterling at Manchester City and was influential in his development which has seen him become one of the most dangerous wingers in the world.

Nelson is another to benefit from a loan. He spent last season in Hoffenheim under young coach Julien Nagelsmann, managing 7 Bundesliga goals from largely bench appearances. An impressive return for a player so young, and a small insight into just why Reiss Nelson is so highly rated.

It remains to be seen how Arsenal’s young lads will get on in their loan spells, but it’s certainly encouraging to see Arsenal use the loan market so proficiently. Arsenal have a wealth of talent at their fingertips, but it is up to them to be the guiding hand which leads the future of this football club to success.