5 Arsenal youth academy players who should play for the first team

#4 Kelechi Nwakali

Nwakali won the Golden Ball in the 2015 U-17 World Cup

Few players have a stronger resume for success on this list than the Nigeran wonderkid who was instrumental in his country's 2015 U-17 World Cup victory and was also awarded the Golden Ball award. He earned a five-year deal from Arsenal in 2016 and is currently on loan at Dutch club, MVV Maastricht.

The 18-year-old midfielder compares himself to the great Yaya Toure, the kind of player Arsenal have missed dreadfully in midfield for a long time.

(Video Courtesy: NFFTV YouTube Channel)

Nwakali has a lot to do to make the step from youth level to the rigours of Premier League football; only Toni Kroos and Cesc Fabregas have gone on to have a solid career following the U17 World Cup glories.

The 18-year-old, however, looks to follow Kelechi Iheanacho as the second Nigerian to do it in as many competitions and is undoubtedly a member of the next generation of Arsenal players trying to push their way into the first-team squad.