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Arsenal's emerging academy prospects face a formidable challenge as they attempt to force their way into Mikel Arteta's plans for the upcoming season.
Breaking into a Premier League title-contending squad is no easy feat, and the Gunners are expected to bolster their ranks further in this summer's transfer window—with a number of additions already secured. The club's young hopefuls will need to be exceptionally impressive to leave their mark.
Yet Arteta has consistently demonstrated trust in gifted academy graduates throughout his tenure, with Bukayo Saka, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri serving as recent examples of promoted youngsters given the opportunity to shine at senior level.
So, which Arsenal youngsters are capable of following in their footsteps next season?
Max Dowman
Max Dowman could arguably point to 2025–26 as his breakthrough campaign, rising to prominence and setting records across 13 first-team outings. Understandably, however, Arteta was careful not to overburden the 16-year-old, managing his minutes with considerable caution.
If Dowman has already had his breakout year, then 2026–27 could be the season he transitions from impact substitute to genuine star player.
With Arsenal once again competing across four competitions, Dowman will have no shortage of chances to impress. The domestic cup tournaments should offer him regular starts, though he has already demonstrated the ability to contribute in both the Premier League and Champions League.
Dowman's versatility is a welcome asset for Arteta, with the teenager equally comfortable on the right wing or in an attacking midfield role. That positional adaptability will help him accumulate more minutes, even amid fierce competition for a starting berth.
Few would question Dowman's potential to become a truly generational talent. Arsenal would be wise to lean on his blossoming ability next season.
Marli Salmon
Marli Salmon was another youngster introduced to first-team football last season, making four appearances across the Champions League and FA Cup. The commanding center back made less of an impact than Dowman, but still merits considerable credit for earning his way into the senior setup at just 16 years of age.
Unfortunately for Salmon, Arsenal are well stocked at center back. Even with William Saliba's recent injury concerns, they have Gabriel, Piero Hincapié, Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera at their disposal, while Ben White and Jurriën Timber can also operate in central defense. Opportunities will be hard to come by.
That said, much like Dowman, the domestic cup competitions should provide him with invaluable experience—particularly if Arsenal face lower-league opposition in the early rounds. Should Saliba be joined in the treatment room by any fellow defenders, Salmon could also find himself a regular fixture in the matchday squad.
There is certainly no urgency to fast-track the gifted teenager, but he remains an option Arteta will be eager to assess as the season progresses.
Andre Harriman-Annous
Positional versatility is a cornerstone of modern football, and Arteta is among the coaches most committed to deploying players across multiple roles. The Spaniard is unlikely to be let down by Andre Harriman-Annous in that respect, with the 18-year-old having excelled as both a centre forward and wide attacker within Arsenal's academy setup.
The rangy forward has contributed 10 goals and two assists for the Under-21s, turning heads with his pace, surging runs and clinical finishing. His physique and athleticism should help him adapt to the demands of senior football, though he will still benefit from adding more bulk before making the step up.
Harriman-Annous was handed two appearances by Arteta last season, featuring in both the FA Cup and Champions League—a sign that he has already caught the manager's attention. Next season may still come a little early for the teenager, who could benefit from a loan move within England, but he is firmly on course to play a meaningful role in the years ahead.
Louie Copley
Louie Copley is yet to make his Arsenal debut, but he has already accumulated experience at senior level. The 19-year-old, who put pen to paper on a professional contract with the Gunners last summer, spent the second half of last season on loan at Crawley Town in League Two, making nine appearances—eight of them starts—and chipping in with an assist.
Former Crawley manager Scott Lindsey was effusive in his praise of the midfielder following his debut, saying: "Louie Copley was outstanding. I thought he was the best player on the pitch by a mile. I thought he was brilliant. I thought he looked brave on the ball, he's got those long legs to make tackles and I thought he was outstanding."
Copley's technical ability makes him a fascinating prospect, and while there are clearly significant areas still requiring development, his future looks promising. Whether that potential can be fully unlocked in north London is yet to be determined, but it would be a mistake for Arsenal to overlook their dynamic box-to-box midfielder.
Evan Mooney
It has been fewer than six months since Arsenal brought Evan Mooney to the club from St Mirren. The 18-year-old had flourished in his homeland, racking up 23 appearances for the Buddies and lifting the Scottish League Cup before the Gunners moved to secure his signature. He has wasted no time making an impression south of the border.
The energetic striker netted twice in his first six outings for Arsenal's Under-21s, highlighting his considerable potential and providing him with valuable momentum heading into the new campaign.
Much like Harriman-Annous and Copley, there still appears to be some ground to cover before Mooney features meaningfully for the senior side, but a consistent run of goals in the academy is all he needs to catch the eye of Arsenal's youth coaches and, ultimately, Arteta himself.