Six Boom Youngsters Who Will Make Their Arsenal Début This Season

It has been a topsy turvy pre season for Arsenal this Summer. Constant speculation over the future of captain and midfield maestro Cesc Fabregas ensured many rumours linking the Spaniard back to his childhood club Barcelona and caused uproar throughout Europe. The Gunners also endured departures of experienced players as well as blistering pre season form which saw them win five of their six encounters.

2010/2011 is set to be a calamitous season for the Gunners. The North London side will attempt to break their five season trophy drought as well as hold onto inspirational and heroic manager Arsene Wenger, whose contract expires at the close of the upcoming campaign. Arsenal are also set to finally lose Cesc Fabregas at the end of the season too, if things don't go their way success wise.

One competition that Wenger rarely puts much emphasis on is the League or Carling Cup. A competition involving all teams across the four English domestic leagues. The Frenchman sees this event as a chance to blood youngsters and offer them a small taste of first class football.

The League Cup is one of the few trophies Wenger has failed to secure in his 14 year tenure. However the youngsters often venture deep into the tournament by playing dazzling, exciting football. Not only that, many young guns gain vital experience and can often make the leap into the first team roster the next season.

This season shall be no different with Wenger destined to once again utilize teenagers in his Cup squad. Arsenal are renown for harbouring some of the most talented youngsters in Europe and fans will be itching to see certain members receive first team opportunity.

Here are five youngsters who should make their début this season.

6. Luke Freeman

The hugely talented striker joined Arsenal in 2008 from Gillingham where the Englishman had already made his professional début as a fresh faced 15 year old. Now 18, Freeman has been a constant performer for the Arsenal youth and reserves teams. 

Blessed with devastating pace, power, and balance, the versatile forward is a handful for defenders and will undoubtedly be part of the League Cup squad where he will look to notch many goals.

5. Cedric Evina 

The 19 year old has been at the club since the ripe age of nine where he has progressed through the academy. A small yet tenacious defender who is easily adapted as a left or right back or in the centre. Evina has captained the reserves and youth sides for a while now and will look to pursue an Arsenal début this season.

4. Conor Henderson 

The 19 year old midfield impressed greatly last season in the Arsenal reserves and youth squads. His form earned him a call up to the Arsenal first team bench in the last few matches of the season. Although the Englishman was unable to make his début it was clear Henderson had talent.

A strong, built midfielder with speed and an incisive passing range, Henderson is set to make his awaited Arsenal début this term. 

3. Benik Afobe 

The highly touted striker was being chased by Barcelona for a stint before the Gunner snapped him up on a long term deal. Powerfully built with great strength and a ferocious shot Afobe has all the traits to become a strong forward in England.

Furthermore the Englishman is only 17 ensuring a huge future is ahead of him. Watch out for the sharpshooter in the League Cup this season. 

2. Emmanuel Frimpong

The Ghanaian born midfielder, who has been at the Gunner since the age of 11, has been immense during Arsenal pre season campaign, forming a deadly partnership with Jack Wilshere and showing he has a big future with the Gunners.

Blessed with courageous strength and strong tackling as well as an impressive passing range, Frimpong is set to not only feature in the League Cup but potentially be an integral part of the Premier League side.

1. Harvard Nordtveit 

Touted as one of the best defensive prospect in Europe, the Norwegian young gun has spent the last three campaign abroad on loan in Europe but now has returned and after enjoying a solid pre season campaign, should make a long awaited Arsenal début this season. 

The 20 year old is able to play anywhere across the backline and as a defensive midfielder which enables the imposing defender to add a new dimension to his game. Also blessed with impressive speed and control as well as assuring strength.

The footballing world looks forward to the arrival of these boom youngsters and Arsenal fans hope they can live up to expectation.