The 9 Best Arsenal Academy Youngsters Today
- Think Football Ideas
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
The 9 Arsenal Academy Youngsters Who Could Define the Club’s Future
Hale End continues to be a fertile ground for talent and one of the best football academies across Europe. When you have produced the likes of Ashley Cole and Bukayo Saka, the expectation never fades.
Arsenal’s youth system has long been tied to the club’s identity, with the tradition of homegrown players stepping into senior football shaping the future of the side. A new wave is emerging, and each of them carries the promise of making their own lasting impact.
Here are The 9 Best Arsenal Youngsters Right Now
9. Brayden Clarke
Brought in from Wolves after nearly a decade in their setup, Brayden Clarke represents one of the most intriguing additions to Arsenal’s youth ranks. Born in Birmingham in 2007, he first played for local sides West Hagley and Stourbridge before joining Wolves at nine.
His progress was rapid, with a U21 debut at just 15 and later a switch to Arsenal in 2024, where he soon signed professional terms.
A Wales youth international, Clarke has featured in back-to-back European Under-17 Championships and even earned a senior bench call-up for Arsenal at only 17.
8. Jack Porter
Among Arsenal’s most striking youth stories, Jack Porter holds the distinction of being the youngest goalkeeper to feature for the club, while also ranking as the second-youngest player overall.
His first-team debut came in the Carabao Cup against Bolton, an experience that quickly underlined his calm under pressure. Porter has since maintained steady involvement across the youth divisions, where nine appearances have honed his craft.
His presence on Champions League benches highlights Arteta’s willingness to involve him, laying the groundwork for his role to expand in the years ahead.
7. Ceadach O’Neill
Ceadach O’Neill’s journey from Linfield to Hale End reflects a player with ambition and early maturity. Capable of operating on the wing or behind the striker, he already tasted senior football in Northern Ireland before switching environments in 2024.
His trial at Arsenal included action at the Flamengo Adidas Cup, where his sharp technical ability impressed the academy staff.
With U17 international experience for his country, O’Neill looks equipped to handle greater responsibility. Arsenal view him as a long-term project, confident that his natural flair can flourish in north London.
6. Josh Nichols
The 2024 pre-season in the United States offered a platform for Josh Nichols, and the right-back made sure to seize it. Quick, industrious, and eager to press, he caught the eye not only with his defensive intensity but also his willingness to surge forward.
A friendly at the Emirates against Bayer Leverkusen further cemented his potential. Despite fierce competition at right-back with established first-teamers ahead of him, Nichols’ progress is encouraging.
Whether through future loans or extended youth development, his performances suggest a promising path lies ahead.
5. Marli Salmon
Tall, composed, and blessed with defensive awareness beyond his years, Marli Salmon has been likened to William Saliba for his poise.
Predominantly a central defender but equally reliable at right-back, Salmon anchored Arsenal’s U18s during their spirited run to the FA Youth Cup semi-finals. His influence as a leader at just 16 highlights his natural temperament.
Though he remains some way from senior football, his combination of size, tactical understanding, and confidence in possession ensures he is regarded as a standout prospect within the academy.
4. Andre Harriman-Annous
Andre Harriman-Annous’s development has been rooted in a deep personal connection to the club. A boyhood Arsenal supporter who joined the academy at eight, he previously trained at Tottenham’s pre-academy before switching allegiances.
The 17-year-old thrives in multiple roles, whether as a midfielder pulling strings or further forward in attack.
His steady progress was rewarded with a place on a Premier League bench against Liverpool, an indication of growing trust. With a tireless engine and technical sharpness, Harriman-Annous is steadily turning potential into genuine opportunity.
3. Myles Lewis-Skelly
Few names in the current crop carry as much excitement as Myles Lewis-Skelly. A midfielder by trade, his ability to drive through the centre of the pitch combines speed, strength, and fine technical detail.
Already under contract as a professional, he is tipped to be one of the pillars of Arsenal’s future. Interestingly, Arteta has experimented with him at left-back, but his long-term future lies in midfield.
His first Premier League goal came in a 5–1 win over Manchester City in February 2025, followed soon after by a maiden strike for England’s senior team in March, making him the youngest player ever to score on his international debut.
2. Max Dowman
Max Dowman is the youngest on this list but arguably among the most naturally gifted. The left-footed midfielder turned heads as early as 13, recording standout performances with the U18s and later impressing for England’s U16s.
In 2024, he became the youngest scorer in UEFA Youth League history after netting against Atalanta at just 14.
His rapid progress earned him early first-team training and eventually a Premier League debut at 15, where he won a penalty against Leeds. Dowman embodies the raw promise of Hale End’s next great playmaker.
1. Ethan Nwaneri
At the top of the list sits Ethan Nwaneri, the jewel of Arsenal’s academy. Known to the wider football world since becoming the Premier League’s youngest-ever player at 15, his evolution has been closely monitored.
Comfortable as a midfielder or operating wide, he blends vision with dynamism, making him a constant creative outlet.
By March 2025, he had already surpassed legends like Cliff Bastin and Cesc Fàbregas by scoring more goals before turning 18 than any Arsenal player in history.
With senior involvement growing and European goals to his name, Nwaneri is more than a record-breaker, he is Arsenal’s next crown jewel.
Comments