Arsenal: Players to Look for Next Season

It is a known fact in the footballing world that Arsenal have very, very talented youngsters. There are so many that it is difficult to keep a track of them. I will take you through who I feel can really make an impact next season (whether it is the Carling Cup or the Premier League).

Carlos Vela

Purchased as an unknown from C.D. Guadalajara in 2004, Carlos Vela is a Mexican prodigy who I'm sure every Arsenal fan has heard of at some stage since then.

He is a left winger who can also play up top as a secondary striker. He is technically gifted and has a considerable amount of pace—a definite success waiting to happen.

Many thought that he would be recalled from Osasuna last year after Henry's departure, but he has stayed on in Spain and even tormented Real Madrid's back line when Osasuna played them.

The 18-year-old is set to get an English work permit after obtaining his dual citizenship from Spain. Now, we can see another truly gifted player arrive next season.

Fran Merida

Fransico Merida, or as many say, Cesc Fabregas II was signed from Barcelona last year.

He can play on the left side of midfield and centrally as well. He is tricky and has great, quick feet. He is not yet very quick or strong, but that will develop with age.

Fran Merida is also nothing like Fabregas—he is a direct player and isn't much of a passer.

After a loan spell with Real Sociedad, he is sure to come back to Arsenal as a rejuvenated youngster with some experience next season. He is 17 years old.

Harvard Nordveit

When Henry was sealing his transfer to Barcelona this time last year, Arsene Wenger was in Norway finalizing the details of Harvard's transfer to Arsenal. 

Nordveit arrived with a two million pound price tag on his head and has progressed very well this season. At 17, he was appointed the Reserve Team Captain—as soon as he arrived.

Tall, strong and athletic—you name an attribute for a center back, and he's got it. He is sure to feature for us at some point next season.

Armand Traore

A fantastic talent who is definitely not a stranger to most of us Arsenal fans. He signed in 2005 from Monaco and has since excelled at Arsenal.

He has played most of the Carling Cup games this season and also played in the final of the same tournament last year.

Traore has more experience than most at the age of 18 and can play anywhere along the left side—be it wing back, left back, or left wing.

He has great pace, great athleticism, and is a taller version of his French compatriot—Gael Clichy.

Kieran Gibbs

Yes, an English player!

Gibbs is a left winger, primarily, who made his surprise debut against Inter Milan in the Emirates Cup last year—receiving a standing ovation from the crowd for his fearless performance.

He started as a left back against Sheffield United in the League Cup third round and played a superb, splitting pass for Eduardo to score.

He was then loaned out to Norwich City where he excelled as a central midfielder. In the final reserve game of the season, he scored a spectacular solo goal from the centre of midfield in the last minute.

Wenger rates him very highly.

Mark Randall

Yet another English player who is sure to feature next year at some stage with the first team.

He can play anywhere in the midfield and almost grabbed himself a goal against Sunderland in the final game of the season.

He's a player with style, grace, and a "strong tackling side." 

Definitely, another one to look out for.

Jack Wilshere

He has been lighting up the Under 18s and Reserve leagues with his goals and is sure to do the same next year in the Carling Cup.

He is a tricky winger with loads of skill and pace. He also has another great quality which people are looking for at Arsenal these days—he's English!

He's an Under 17 international and at 16, he can only improve. Wenger has suggested that he will be involved with the first team squad next year.

Nacer Barazite

This flying Dutchman is an attacking midfielder who was brought in from NEC a couple of years ago.

He has featured in the Reserve side very often and made an appearance against Blackburn in this year's Carling Cup. Unfortunately, that appearance ended in tears for the 17-year-old as he was stretchered off with a dislocated shoulder.

He is tall, quick, and strong...A Bergkamp in the making maybe? Too premature!

Henri Lansbury

Sounds French, non? But, he is yet another English talent who has featured regularly for the England Under 17s team.

Lansbury is in the mold of Mark Randall, but has a more aggressive style of play.

He is a quick mover and has a very good shot.

Wenger is going to induct the 17 year old Henri into the first team squad next year as well.

Vito Mannone

The Italian goalkeeper signed pro forms with Arsenal a couple of years ago after his compatriot, Arturo Lupoli, did the same. Arsenal scout Steve Rowley spotted him along with Lupoli and decided to snap him up straight away.

Tall and agile, the 20-year-old will be the third choice keeper behind Lukasz Fabianski and Manuel Almunia.

He may get some playing time next year after Arsene stated that he doesn't want to bring in another keeper after the departure of "Mad" Jens Lehmann.

Most of these guys will play a few games at some stage next season and I'm sure most of them will do well. They have immense talent and having watched most of them, they fit into the Arsenal style of play seamlessly.

Will they make it to the big stage? We'll only be able to answer that in due course of time...but don't forget these names as I'm sure, you will get a glimpse of them come August.