Arsenal Young Gun Prospects: 7 Youngsters Wenger May Have To Sell in the Summer

Since Arsene Wenger era, Arsenal has become renowned for their large abundance of exciting youngsters who in the coming years will dazzle World Football with their superb talent. Over the past decade, the world football stage has witnessed the likes of Ashley Cole, Nicholas Anelka, Kolo Toure, Robin van Persie and of course Cesc Fabregas arrive at Arsenal as baby-faced talents before Wenger ensures their talent comes to fruition, and they become the next superstars of the world game.

But for every Fabregas and van Persie, there is an Arturo Lupoli and Quincy Owusu-Abeyie. Numerous youngsters have come to North London with high hopes, highly touted as the next wonderkid but sadly fail to make their young presence felt and are effectively shown the door, ending up as lower league kings.

However the current crop of youngsters currently at Wenger’s disposal look to be of promising potential, however, it is unlikely that they will break into the Arsenal XI striving greatness. Albeit they will not fade off into the lower league One and Two but possibly provide quality into the aspiring Championship and other European teams.

Here are seven youngsters who may have to be sold come the Summer.

1.       Mark Randall

The 21-year-old has been on the fringe of the Arsenal first team for a number of years as well as enduring a host of loan spells in which the Englishman has impressed. However it looms that Randall may just fall short of Arsenal standards and is likely to be offloaded by the season's end.

The Englishman, who is blessed with great vision and an incisive passing range, can cover a number of positions in the midfield as well as wingers, second striker and if necessary a flanking defender.

 2.       Gavin Hoyte

The 20-year-old has been a strong performer for the Arsenal reserves and youth sides for a number of years and has even gone on to captain the reserves. Last season, the Englishman endured an impressive loan spell with League One outfit Brighton & Hove Albion, in which the brother of former Arsenal defender Justin, played 21 times. 

Primarily a right back but capable of playing all along the backline, Hoyte looks as if an opportunity is far from close unless mass injuries take place. At a club like Arsenal, you would be inclined to be optimistic that an injury crisis could occur. However with Bacary Sagna, Emmanuel Eboue, Harvard Nordtveit and Francis Coquelin (when the Frenchman returns from his loan spell with FC Lorient) all ahead of Hoyte in the pecking order. The promising defender may have to depart.

 3.       Rhys Murphy

Injuries have severely hampered the English striker's rise to promise. Despite showing great talent and being a prolific scorer, the 20-year-old has a tendency to receive injuries at crucial points.

Arsenal boasts an exciting and talent range of strikers in their ranks with the likes of Carlos Vela, Gilles Sunu and Benik Afobe all set to be a heavy part of the Arsenal XI in the future. However, it is hard to find a place for the young gun, but a loan spell may be on the cards. 

4.       Pedro Botelho

The highly touted Brazilian has been forced to endure three consecutive season loan spells in the Spanish Segunda due to failure of receiving a work permit.  Despite looking highly promising and playing consistently, the 21-year-old may return to the Emirates and find himself well behind in terms of opportunity.

Primarily a left back, Botelho has been utilized as a winger, second striker and midfielder. However, at Arsenal, it is likely the Samba star would be utilized as a left back but faces competition with Kieran Gibbs, Gael Clichy and the returning Armand Traore along with youngsters Thomas Cruise and Cedric Evina. 

5.       Craig Eastmond

If the highly touted duo is unable to make a sufficient impact this season then one would have to expect his days are numbered. Eastmond stormed onto the Arsenal scene last season going on to feature in the Premier League, FA and League Cup for a total of seven appearances. 

Predominantly a central defender, Eastmond is also at home as a defensive midfielder where he was primarily utilized last season. However, by the summer, it seemed Emmanuel Frimpong and Francis Coquelin were both ahead of him as the young defensive midfield, but a severe injury to Frimpong and a long-term loan spell for Coquelin ensures the 20-year-old has a great chance to prove his worth.

However it seems the Englishman is lacking opportunities with Wenger overlooking Eastmond for the recent League Cup encounter with rivals Tottenham. Time will tell what is to occur for the promising youngster.

6.       Nacer Barazite

The Dutch maestro was heading towards promising prospects before a shoulder injury hampered the 20-year-old's development. This came after a promising loan spell at Derby County in 2008/2009 campaign where the Dutchman looked set for Arsenal first team promise.

Barazite is currently on loan at Dutch outfit Vitesse where the former Nijmegen youth will look to reinstate his skill and return with hopes to replace the ageing Tomas Rosicky. However, if Wenger looks to sign a quality midfielder or the host of talented midfielder continue their rapid growth, Barazite may stay in the Eredivisie.

 7.       Gilles Sunu

The French striker has a number of French sides vying for his signature, and if lack of opportunities continue, then the 19-year-old is set to look elsewhere. Sunu has been more than prolific in the reserve and youth league and is blessed with a powerful frame, speed and a fierce shot. There is no denying the Frenchman has the potential to be an Arsenal star but whether he wants to and if his attitude can is another story.

The new reserve format will provide these youngsters with good opportunities to prove their worth, and come January, many may be gifted with a loan spell so time will tell what is to occur