Arsenal are expected to loan out several of their highly-rated youngsters for the second half of the season.
This excellent generation of Gunners youngsters features the likes of Mika Biereth, Anass Salah-Eddine and Charlie Patino, who could all be next to follow Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe off the conveyor belt.
However, it creates a problem for Mikel Arteta.
With so many players playing so well and just three competitions at senior level this season, Arsenal are struggling to get much senior game time for their youngsters.
As a result, there is a chance that several of them could head out on loan in January but who are they?
Joel Lopez
Having followed the path from Barcelona to North London well-trodden by the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Hector Bellerin, big things are expected of the left-back.
The 19-year-old is still a little lightweight though and could do with some more experience of senior football at a lower level so that he’s able to make the step up to the Arsenal first team one day.
Ryan Alebiosu
The right-back is another who has thrived as a wing-back in Betsy’s system and could use a chance to impress at senior level.
Alebiosu may well head out on loan in January, with Takehiro Tomiyasu, Cedric, Calum Chambers and Ainsley Maitland-Niles all blocking his way to the first team at the moment.
Tim Akinola
The midfielder has really gone up a level this year, though, and has been a standout in the number eight position alongside Charlie Patino and Salah-Eddine.
He was considered for a loan this summer, but having shown that he’s capable of thriving for the under-23s, now may be a good time for him to step up.
Flo Balogun
The Super Eagles hopeful is evidently too good for under-23s football, and with an outrageous piece of skill to win a penalty against Brighton, he is showing that he’s outgrown this level.
Surely a January loan seems like the smartest option for the 20-year-old forward who recently committed his long-term future to the club.
This article was most recently revised and updated 2 years ago
