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Arsenal have enjoyed a very mixed first season under the Unai Emery reign and the coming months are going to be crucial in determining the Spaniard’s legacy in North London.

While last year was deemed a free hit for the ex-Sevilla man, this summer the head coach is seriously under the microscope as fans keep a watchful eye over on-goings at the club.

With a reported transfer budget of just £40m, are there any youngsters primed to break into the XI this coming season who can realistically have an impact for the club going forward?

Here’s our top five…

Joe Willock – Central midfielder – 19

Willock ended this current campaign with more game-time than perhaps most imagined he’d enjoy. Starts against Burnley on the final day of the Premier League season and a brief Europa League final cameo suggests he’s firmly in Emery’s plans going forward.

The versatile midfielder is dynamic, has an eye for goal and seems an intelligent player as well, having looked very comfortable against Chelsea in Baku where other stars flopped. Considering Arsenal need a versatile, all-action midfielder who can slot in next to the impressive Lucas Torreira, perhaps they’ve already got their man in Willock.

Eddie Nketiah – Forward – 20

Nketiah, like Willock, has been exposed to the first team on a few occasions, and when he has he’s certainly made his impact, scoring two goals from the bench against Norwich in the Carabao Cup last season.

He’s able to play comfortably on the left or the right of a front-line, an attribute his more clinical and experienced team-mates Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang certainly lack. He’s direct, skilful, and ready to finally get more game time, especially with Europa League football to contest once more.

Bukayo Saka – Winger – 17

By far the most inexperienced of the list, but potentially the most talented. Saka is in many ways everything Arsenal need right now. He’s a direct winger who can cut inside onto his left foot from the right of the pitch, he’s very fast, can play on either wing and boasts an unpredictability in his play when he attacks.

Arsenal are desperate for wingers, and even though he’s just 17, Saka could be the man Emery turns to from within to fill a much-needed hole in the Gunners XI.

From 6-0 FA Cup final maulings to Mkhitaryan missing the Europa League final, is football broken? Fans discuss in the video below…

Emile Smith Rowe – Attacking midfielder – 18

The youngster has had game-time under Emery in cup competitions and looks a very, very mature player despite his young age.

He’s cultured on the ball, calm and intelligent in possession. At 18, these are very impressive traits to have.

While Willock is a marauding midfielder who can operate box-to-box, Smith Rowe possesses the ability to knit the play together for his side through passing and positioning. He definitely deserves game-time next season, especially as creative maestros Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Mesut Ozil have struggled to find their best form all season.

Reiss Nelson – Winger – 19

Nelson is perhaps the only player on the list who, if left out, would cause fans to truly raise the heat on Emery. With Jadon Sancho playing wonderfully at Borussia Dortmund, Nelson has at times mirrored this progression at Hoffenheim, but it hasn’t been as consistent for various reasons.

Despite this, the youngster has tremendous talent and looks like the winger Arsenal have craved for years. He’s direct and comfortable playing on either side of the pitch, but he needs the game time. With the Gunners needing a proper wide-man, the stage could be set for the youngster to thrive.