klasemen-tim-nasional-sepak-bola-swiss.comda betobet： Arsenal host Southampton on Wednesday night in the quarter final of the EFL Cup. The Gunners haven’t won the competition since the 1992/93 season, with Arsene Wenger famously using it as a breeding ground for his burgeoning talent.
da wazamba： Facing another heavy schedule this season, Wenger is unlikely to treat the competition with any more seriousness than in years past.
Still, it’s an exciting opportunity for Arsenal fans to see some of the stars of the future play at the Emirates Stadium against Premier League opposition and a Southampton side who may see this competition as a chance of gaining some silverware.
For the young players themselves it presents a massive opportunity. The likes of Kolo Toure, Cesc Fabregas and Gael Clichy all proved themselves in League Cup action before going on to establish themselves in the first team and tonight’s match could be the first step towards an excellent career for some of Wenger’s kids.
Here’s a look at five Arsenal youngsters Football FanCast think deserve a chance to impress tonight.
Gedion Zelalem
Zelalem made his debut for Arsenal at the age of just 17 but in the two-and-a-half years since has failed to make his way into Wenger’s plans as a regular.
He spent the entirety of last season on loan at Rangers, as part of Mark Warburton’s side that won promotion to the Scottish Premiership.
He’s another who has played in this competition previously this season, coming off the bench twice. A dynamic and attacking midfielder, perhaps his best moment in an Arsenal shirt so far is appearing in the UEFA Champions League, playing most of the second half in a 4-1 win away to Galatasaray.
If he was able to do the job in that one then he can likely do it tomorrow night, so Wenger should give him a chance to show what he can do.
Chris Willock
Chris Willock is yet to claim a start for Arsenal but has made the step to the first-team from academy football after making his debut off the bench two rounds ago against Nottingham Forest.
He got more game time against Reading and is progressing well in the U-21 set-up at Arsenal.
He got a goal and two assists in a U-21s playoff final win earlier this year, helping fire the team to be promoted up a category, showing that he can step up in important matches and change games.
At just 18, he’s still learning his trade, but nonetheless deserves a chance to show what he can do against a decent Southampton side.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles
Ainsley Maitland-Niles has already featured in two EFL Cup matches this season, away to Nottingham Forest and at home to Reading.
That alone should earn him his spot in Wednesday night’s line-up with the Gunners putting in accomplished performances to see off their opponents, scoring six goals and conceding none.
Just 19, he spent last season on loan at Ipswich Town, becoming a firm fixture in the first team squad.
With 22 youth international appearances for England, he’s tipped for a big future and if he gets a chance tomorrow will have the opportunity to impress against top opposition.
Rob Holding
Like Maitland-Niles, 21-year-old central defender Rob Holding has played in the two rounds prior to this one, contributing to the two clean sheets vs Nottingham Forest and Reading.
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He actually made his debut in the Premier League this season prior to that, after injuries to Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista saw him thrust into action on the first day of the campaign.
That was a rough day, the Gunners losing 4-3 to Liverpool, but the young defender went on to show his qualities in a 0-0 draw away to last season’s champions Leicester City.
Given this is his first season at Arsenal, he’s making good progress and another accomplished display tomorrow will show Wenger he can be trusted to consistently perform.
Jeff Reine-Adelaide
Jeff Reine-Adelaide is yet to make his Premier League debut under Arsene Wenger since joining from French side Lens in January but he has made four cup appearances in 2016 across the FA and EFL Cup.
A French international at every age group up to U-19s, the 18-year-old is likely to be given another chance to shine and show he can impact the game in an attacking sense.
If he can do the job against Southampton, then a Premier League appearance from the bench won’t be far away for him.