@lorddulaarsenal wrote:
Of the youth it looks like Crowley, Zelalem, Akpom, Willock and Moore have the most chance of progressing
I don't rate Crowley as highly as you do. Has great balance and good close control, but, for me, lacks the acceleration, speed, final pass and finishing ability to really become an Arsenal player. I could see him making it in the Premier League but, as I said, I don't think he has enough about him in the final third to make it at Arsenal. Very decent set-piece technique though.
Zelalem has started to improve in recent months, seems to be coming out of his shell a little and showing more ability on the pitch than just great touch and short passing. He still has a chance of making it here as a ball playing centre midfielder, I reckon. He's no Number 10 or holding midfielder though.
Willock and Moore I don't know as much about, but the latter has never struck me as someone that has Arsenal quality. Willock's still very young.
Akpom I rate a lot, have done for a long time now, but he won't make it here unless he drastically improves his finishing. He can't hit a ball properly right now.
I agree with Rex on Maitland-Niles; he's got something. Not quite sure if he has enough to get given the chance to try and impress here or not, maybe lacks a bit too much technically. Got some very impressive attributes in his game though; great pace, strong and athletic, combative, decent passer and dribbler. The switch away from the right wing and into central midfield has been a good move.
