Last season saw a mixed bag of performances from the Arsenal youth sides, particularly from the U21's who finished 14th out of 22 teams in the Reserve League. Arsenal's U21's were heavily weakened though through injuries and players being sent out on loan. The U18's however, featuring a vast array of the players who have played for the U21's did reach the FA Youth Cup semi-final, only to be knocked out by Chelsea.
As the 2014/15 season fast approaches, Arsenal's U21 side will be looking for even better fortunes as some of the players look to really develop and push themselves towards a possible first team call-up. It would be a call-up that would mean Arsene Wenger really considers them to play a part in future years at the club. Many of the youth players have been given a chance in the League Cup in previous campaigns and that doesn't look set to change as many of the players playing for the U21's could feature this term too.
A large amount of the players that have excelled through the Arsenal youth system have been midfielders, but such is the array of talent in that position that many have had to move on in order to gain vital experience playing first team football. The likes of Emmanuel Frimpong and Thomas Eisfeld have both left permanently in order to further their careers. Eisfeld heavily impressed for the U21's over his two and a half year spell at the Gunners but now it'll be up to the likes of Danny Crowley and Jon Toral to fill the goal scoring midfield void left behind by the young German.
The main goal scoring threat looks set to come from Chuba Akpom, who endured a very successful 2013/14 campaign. The young striker scored 15 times in 23 games last season and he'll look to continue that good form. Benik Afobe is back at Arsenal following various injuries and loan spells and he'll look to impress in the hope of finally earning a first team call-up.
As for the defence, Igansi Miquel is back after a loan spell with Leicester and he'll be eager to impress and form a solid partnership alongside fellow Spaniards Hector Bellerin and Julio Pleguezuelo.
Many of the U21 side will obviously be loaned out again but those who stay will be looking to make regular impacts in the hope of impressing Wenger. Those types of roles could fall to the likes of Kris Olsson and Gedion Zelalem, who are apart of the Arsenal squad to face the New York Red Bulls in a friendly this weekend. Olsson impressed in pre-season last term and already has a goal to his name this pre-season, having scored against Boreham Wood last weekend. Also in that side against Boreham Wood was Argentine goalkeeper Damian Martinez, who could potentially play for the Arsenal first team this season due to a lack of goalkeepers at the club. Martinez himself, Matt Macey and Dejan Lliev will all be challenging for the goalkeeping position in the U21 League.
Ryo Miyaichi is a player to look out for for providing his retched run of injuries doesn't continue or he gets loaned out again. He's nearing the end of his contract and if he doesn't perform this season then he may well be asked to pack his bags come the end of 2014/15. On his day he's got the potential to be one of the U21's star players.
Aside from the youngsters, there is room for three players over the age of 21 in a match day squad. This means that players who perhaps have just returned from injury or are lacking game time get the chance to test themselves in a match situation. Players such as Carl Jenkinson, Yaya Sanogo and Abou Diaby all featured for the reserves in 2013/14.