Arsenal: Can Benik Afobe Crack the First Team Next Season?

Arsenal forward Benik Afobe is quite grounded for being just 19-years-old.

Asked who in his life keeps him from getting too big for his britches, Afobe cited his parents and a practice of reading the Bible. If you're looking for another cautionary tale of too much, too soon in world football, move along.

The English-born striker of Congolese descent would have every reason to be teetering on the brink of overconfidence. Afobe has that preternatural predatory instinct in front of goal shared by the greatest forwards to play the game.

His 11 goals in just 23 matches at the England U-17 level are testament enough to that. Obviously, he's still a long ways away from being considered among the best in the game, but few can rival his incredible talent.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger certainly considers him one of the brightest prospects within the Gunners youth setup, having played him during the Emirates Cup last year—the competition where we've seen the likes of Jack Wilshere emerge as contenders to nab a first-team spot.

Afobe certainly has the quality to play a part with the senior team next season. His youth belies an uncanny sense of calm that, combined with a wonderful instinct, makes him a terrific option in attack—something that the Gunners tended to struggle with in 2011-12 outside of a certain Dutch No. 10.

We've seen Wenger dip into the youth ranks during the heat of a Premier League season before—the injury-ravaged 2009-10 campaign saw the likes of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas earn playing time thanks to attrition—and in the just-finished season, we often saw attacking types such as Oguzhan Ozyakup included within the list of substitutes.

After a nasty groin injury forced Afobe into a lengthy rehabilitation to start the season, the striker spent the last part of the season on loan to Championship side Reading.

Playing time was at a premium during that spell—Afobe made just three appearances for Reading in their successful battle for promotion to the Premier League—but the fact that he still earned a call-up to the England U-19 squad ahead of a crucial round of European Championship qualifiers speaks to the high regard in which he is held.

Afobe's talent is undeniable, and with Arsenal poised to begin clearing out the ranks ahead of a likely title push in 2012-13, an opening for him just might emerge as the dead weight disappears all around.

Marouane Chamakh and Park Chu-Young, Robin van Persie's most immediate challengers for the forward position last season, certainly didn't make incontrovertible claims for first-team spots. Both may even leave the club this summer.

The arrival of German international Lukas Podolski has certainly bolstered the attacking ranks, but Afobe should be confident that if he enjoys a successful preseason, he could force Wenger to choose him.