4 Arsenal youngsters destined to play in the senior squad

Arsenal fans across the world certainly have plenty at the moment to be cheerful about as they rejoice in the glory of theFA Cup win,celebrate Wengers contract extension and the signings of Alexis Sanchez and Mathieu Debuchy.And, there could be more good newsas Wenger prepares to make way for his next batch of youngsters at the club. Arsene Wenger stated, We make huge investments in our youth policy. I believe that has to be the core and the strength of our club. Rightly so, the Arsenal youth academy has produced players to perform at the top level;Jack Wilshere andWojciech Szczesny are recent examples of the same while, Serge Gnabry is one of several youngsters who is exhibiting signs of graduating into a fully fledged first-team member.Here is a look at the players (in no particular order) who are at the fore-front of the Arsenal production line and appear equipped to step up this season.

#1 Hector Bellerin

The 19-year-old right-back followed the well-tread path from Barcelona's La Masia academy to the Emirates Stadium in 2011. He was impressive for the Arsenal U-21 team and also during his loan spell at Watford last season.

Starting his career as a winger, Arsenal has successfully added defensive discipline to his game and will eventually hope he becomes a complete attacking full-back, effective on both sides of the pitch.

The departure of Sagna seemed like good news for Bellerin, but only until Debuchy was signed to fill the vacant spot. He seems unlikely to start games regularly; but should be featured in several Cup games to help solidify his position at Arsenal.

#2 Kristoffer Olsson

Olsson is elegant in possession and has the ability to become an excellent playmaker. A cultured midfielder with the technical proficiency, his craft and avant-garde style perfectly suits the way the Gunners play.

He earned himself a ticket to the Gunners tour of Asia last year and scored following a cross from Rosicky. His efforts yielded him an opportunity as a substitute in the League Cup encounter that season against West Brom. However, in the recent pre-season game against Boreham Wood he scored again, linking with Rosicky.

Olsson’s statement regarding U-21 games not being sufficient for development sure means he is ready to play with the big guys and does not mind a loan opportunity in England, so Arsenal can keep track of his development.

#3 Damian Martinez

Damian Martinez has been part of the Arsenal academy for a couple of years. He made his English league debut for Oxford United on emergency loan. In the early parts of the 2012-13 season he sat on the bench for Arsenal as both Szczesny and Fabianski were ruled out due to injury.

Earning his first senior cap in the League Cup tie against Coventry City in 2012, he was also the keeper in their 7-5 win over Reading in the following round of League Cup that season. Since then he has never featured for the Arsenal senior squad.

At the start of the previous season, Martinez appeared to have become the third choice keeper after Vito Mannone completed his transfer to Sunderland. But Wenger opted to bring in Emiliano Viviano on loan pushing down Martinez in the pecking order.

Considering his performances for Sheffield Wednesday on loan and the current goal keeper situation at the Emirates, Martinez is likely to receive his promotion as third choice, provided Wenger just brings in one goal keeper in this transfer window.

#4 Chuba Akpom

Akpom is a talismanic striker for the Arsenal Under-21 and made an early impression during the pre-season tour of Asia last year – scoring in all three games.

He earned his senior cap later in the season as he substituted the injured Olivier Giroud in a 3-1 win over Sunderland. Akpom has become a strong name in the Arsenal youth squad as he made it to the Under-18 squad at the tender age of just 15 and has been progressing pretty well ever since.

He offers a good physical presence up-front, and has the trademark Arsenal quick feet which he displayed during the European U-19 Championship qualifying campaign for England. However, the arrival of marquee signing Alexis Sanchez and a possible return for Joel Campbell at Arsenal would see the opportunities of the 18-year-old front-man cut short this season.