Who's ready to step up?

With the title now virtually impossible all we can do as fans is hope next season will be better. By better I mean actually win something instead of falling at the last hurdle. Despite Wenger having £40 million at his disposal, I'd be surprised if it was spent. Wenger is likely to remain with his youth policy and so if a young player is going to step up and be a bigger part of the team next year who could it be?

Many of the younger players have been sent out on loan this year to gain experience and the player to have played most regularly is Pedro Botelho who has played 32 times this season for Cartagena. The left back may finally get his chance next year having been an Arsenal player since 2008. Unfortunately he has been unable to get a work permit and so the Brazilian is still awaiting his debut. Botelho has shown great pace and flair during his time in Spain and even though he's a full back, he has managed to get on the score sheet 4 times. What's more he is quite tall for a left back at 6ft 2in so can be useful in the air as well. I look forward to seeing Botelho in an Arsenal shirt and with Clichy stalling over a contract extension Wenger may look to the 21 year old.

Another left back currently on loan is Armand Traore who has started 9 games for Juventus. Also 21 Traore has played for Arsenal and adds to the current talent in that position with Gibbs also wanting more game time. 

Bartley vs Olympiakos

Also in defence is Kyle Bartley who unfortunately had to end his loan at Rangers due to injury. Just 19, the English centre back has already impressed while on loan at Sheffield United and the already mentioned Scottish team. Bob Wilson (ex-Arsenal keeper) has recently been quoted to say "There has to be a more British feel to the team." I can only agree with that and so maybe Bartley is the answer. With Arsenal currently struggling with set-pieces and Bartley being 6ft 4in, the commanding centre back could play a big part in the team next year. 

Now to Vito Mannone. The Italian was 3rd choice keeper at the start of the season so was loaned to Hull City to get the experience needed to push for no.1. Unfortunately injuries have limited him to just 8 appearances but in those games he has kept 5 clean sheets. His rise to fame came against Fulham last year when he played brilliantly and helped Arsenal to win the game. Should Almunia be sold in the summer, Mannone could be needed and what a dilemma Arsene would have, deciding who is to be the first choice keeper.

More attacking players now with Vela, Lansbury and Miyaichi all currently on loan. Vela is the most experienced and his 2 goals have been very important to West Brom's survival. As for Lansbury, it was a dream for him to score on his debut against Spurs. They will both be looking for more playing time next season but what about Miyaichi? This young Japanese impressed at trials and Wenger was able to be the manager to sign what could be Asia's best ever player. At the moment he is on loan at Feyenoord where in his first game was named man of the match and if that isn't enough to wow you then how about this. The Dutch media has recently given him the nickname "Ryodinho" after comparisons to Ronaldinho. Ryo, who's preferred position is winger, has already played 24 times for the Japanese U17's and U20's scoring 6 goals in the process. A real talent is what we have here and we could see Miyaichi in an Arsenal shirt in pre-season then hopefully also in the Carling Cup.

Frimpong vs AC Milan

My final young star to talk about is Emmanuel Frimpong. Him and Wilshere are great friends and were meant to be a midfield partnering for this year only for a knee injury to rule Frimpong out for the majority of the campaign. The defensive player who is very similar to Song has great strength and energy and I'm sure many supporters would rather see him on the field than Denilson. Correct?

That's me done without even talking about Sanchez Watt, Eastmond, Coquelin, JET plus a few more. So if Wenger isn't going to spend then this is what youth has to offer. Personally I would love to see Botelho, Bartley, Mannone and Frimpong all play 5-10 games next year as they have the potential to be excellent players. I would've liked to have put Miyaichi in that list but another loan move in January could be more beneficial. 

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