Arsenal Transfer Prospect: 6 Youngsters Set To Leave Wenger In January

With the January Transfer window slowly approaching, managers will begin to ferociously try and capture quality talent for their respective clubs while offloading struggling services. For Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, there is set to be more departures than arrivals, with the Frenchman stating he has no need to buy new players, claiming his squad is sufficient enough to conquer the Gunners' notorious five-season trophy drought.

However Wenger is set to lose a number of talent youngsters as Arsenal boast a fine array of youthful players who have come to fruition and are eager to show their traits on the world stage rather than playing reserve football.

It's a factor of Wenger's style that, despite boasting a fantastic amount of teenage talent, most goes to waste. Rarely is one graced with the privilege of watching a home-grown Arsenal starlet shine. Predominantly the youngsters are sent on loan to lower-league outfits before returning to Arsenal were they are eventually sold after a short stint in the League Cup.

Come January it is certain that Wenger will loose a number of promising youths who, despite portraying the capabilities to handle first-team football, will be forced to look elsewhere in England and Europe for consistent first-team football.

Let's take a look.

6. Armand Traore

The French left back arrived at the Emirates in 2006 after transferring from French giants Auxerre. Since arriving, the 21-year-old has proved an able deputy in the left back role to Gael Clichy, but has since been overtaken by Kieran Gibbs.

Last season Traore proved more than useful when injuries occurred to the latter. The former Auxerre defender played twelve times for the Gunners and showed strong potential.

The Frenchman had a successful loan spell with Portsmouth in 2008/2009 and is now currently on loan with Italian giants Juventus. However Traore has seemingly disappeared as a footballer, rarely managing minutes for the Zebras.

Traore is a quick, elegant defender who is able to cover a number of positions including left back and left wing. The youngster is scheduled to return to the Gunners at the end of 2010/2011 where the French dynamo will undoubtedly be sold.

5. Henri Lansbury

The English midfielder has shown great potential whilst with the Gunners youth and reserve squads as well as vying his trade on loan. The 20-year-old is a strong, tenacious midfielder with great strength, speed and a sublime passing range.

Lansbury was hugely impressive whilst on loan at Watford last season, as well as at Scunthorpe the season prior. This season the English midfielder starred in Arsenal's 4-1 League Cup thrashing of rivals Tottenham, scoring the opening goal.

However opportunities have since stemmed for the young midfielder and Lansbury has been forced on loan once more, this time to Championship side Norwich. The English dynamo has impressed once again, but just how patient is the young attacker?

4. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas

The highly touted 20-year-old is earmarked as a great future prospect for the Gunners but currently seems unable to receive proper playing time. The Englishman is unable to even start in the League Cup, prompting talks of yet another loan spell for the versatile forward.

The last two seasons have seen JET emerge as a blossoming talent who can lead a side as well as cover a number of positions. The young forward led the Arsenal youth side to glory in 2009 and last season undertook two loan spells with Championship sides Blackpool and Doncaster Rovers.

However with a packed front line at Arsenal, the likes of Robin van Persie, Marouane Chamakh, Nicklas Bendtner and even Theo Walcott are ahead of the former youth captain, which could force Jay Emmanuel-Thomas to move elsewhere.

3. Carlos Vela

2010/2011 was destined to be the season Carlos Vela establishes a permanent role in the Arsenal first team, yet the young Mexican is still unable to find consistent playing time, with the Carling Cup once again the only real fixture that features the 21-year-old.

Rumours have it that a number of La Liga outfits are interested in the Mexican dynamo and are gearing for Janary bids. But the Mexican starlet is a superb prospect that Wenger needs to hold on to despite his lack of faith.

2. Vito Mannone

Lukasz Fabianski's return to form may have somewhat brushed Arsenal's keeping conundrum under the rug, which ensures bad news for promising young keeper Vito Mannone. The Italian shot stopper rose to fame last season with a truly outstanding performance against Fulham, but has since failed to return to the first team as Wenger continues his faith in Manuel Almunia and Fabianski.

The 22-year-old is currently on loan with Hull City in the Champions League and the former Atlanta keeper has continued to show his potential with a number of fine displays. However, highly touted youngster Wojciech Szczensy looks to have nailed down the deputy role, and it is unlikely the Italian will want to return from consistent football time to the odd League Cup appearance.

1. Harvard Nordtveit.

Touted as one of the best young defensive prospects in Europe, fans had high hopes for the Norwegian defender after two successful loan spells. However, since returning to Arsenal this season, the 20-year-old has been unable to impress Wenger, and is set to depart the Gunners in January, with German outfit Borussia Monchengladbach said to be very keen on the young defender.

Nordtveit can cover a number of defensive positions as well as a defensive midfield and central midfield role. The Norwegian youngster is most at home as a centre half, and was regarded as the next Tony Adams, if given the chance.

But unfortunately with the former FK Haugesund defender's contract running out, Arsenal will want to benefit and will look to offload the future prospect in January.