The future is looking bright down at the Emirates Stadium

FROM youngsters in the current first-team squad such as Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, to club legends that have been immortalised in bronze like Tony Adams – Arsenal’s youth Academy is synonymous with creating world class footballers.

Below are three more players coming through the Gunners’ ranks who are destined to be superstars in the near future…

Omari Hutchinson

The 18-year-old attacking midfielder/winger joined Arsenal at the age of just 11 after being spotted by scouts during a friendly against Charlton Athletic.

Preferring to play as a number 10, Hutchinson is very creative and technical with the ball, has pace to get past defenders and can finish chances, too. These qualities, when combined, make him a real threat going forward.

Hutchinson’s numbers for Arsenal’s Under-23s prove, however, that he’s more than just a goalscorer. He’s played 16 games this season, scoring six goals, and assisting six more.

Such performances haven’t gone unnoticed by Mikel Arteta – the Arsenal boss selecting him for the first-team squad for the Gunners recent away win at Watford in the Premier League.

And despite not getting any minutes in the 3-2 victory at Vicarage Road, the fact that Arteta named Hutchinson in the squad is a clear sign of just how highly-rated he is within the club.

Zak Swanson

Swanson joined Arsenal when he was just six-years-old, and has already gained experience training and playing overseas having spent a season-long loan at second-tier Dutch side MVV Maastricht in 2020 – albeit only making three appearances.

He plays naturally as a right-back, but the 21-year-old has also featured for Arsenal’s Under-23s at left-back and centre-back. Such versatility has very much put Swanson on Arteta’s radar.

This season when Takehiro Tomiyasu picked up an injury, Cedric Soares stepped in at right-back, and Swanson found himself on the first-team bench as extra cover.

With European football set to return to the Emirates next season, Arteta will need more options, so don’t be surprised if you see Swanson back on the bench, and pushing for first-team football.

Charlie Patino

One name already making plenty of noise at Arsenal is Charlie Patino. In an interview with Goal.com, Brian Stapleton, the scout that discovered Patino, described the 18-year-old midfielder as “the best kid” he has ever seen.

A big statement when you think about all the talent that the Hale End Academy has produced. But one that should make every Arsenal fan very excited for the future.

Patino made his debut for Arteta’s first-team back in December when he scored a late goal against Sunderland in a 5-1 thrashing in the Carabao Cup. The England Under-19s player’s performance was just a small glimpse of what’s to come.

Boasting the youngest squad in the Premier League, Arteta has already shown that he’s willing to give young players a chance and Patino could fit in perfectly.

He’s very comfortable on the ball, has a wide range of passing ability and can break defensive lines with one killer pass – something which is needed at Arsenal in order to score more goals.