Five Arsenal youngsters who could cement a spot in Mikel Arteta's first-team squad in 2023

It has been a fine 2022 for youngsters at Arsenal as a number of players have established themselves as first-team stars, whilst others have continued to cement their reputations.

Bukayo Saka was one of England's best players at the World Cup in Qatar, off the back of a first half of the Premier League season that saw him register four goals and six assists in just 14 games.

William Saliba, meanwhile, slotted in seamlessly at the centre of Arsenal's defence following a loan spell at Marseille. Gabriel Martinelli netted five goals in 14 appearances, and earned a call-up to the Brazil World Cup squad.

And there was a league debut for 15-year-old Ethan Nwaneri - the youngest debutant in the history of Premier League.

With 2023 on horizon, it would be no surprise to see even more young players given big opportunities by manager Mikel Arteta. Currently, a number of Gunners starlets are out on loan, hoping to push their cases for a chance to shine for the senior squad next season.

Let's take a look at who could become part of Arteta's squad in 2023.

Charlie Patino

Charlie Patino is currently on loan at Blackpool, where he has made an impression during his first full season of senior football.

The Seasiders haven't had the best start to the campaign - they sat in 22nd place and the Championship relegation zone after 23 games - Patino has been one of their star players.

He has two goals and two assists to his name, with Blackpool boss Michael Appleton praising the 19-year-old as 'outstanding'.

As one of the top young players to come out of the Gunners academy in recent times, Patino will hope to make 2023 a big year.

Ethan Nwaneri

The aforementioned Ethan Nwaneri made his senior debut against Brentford in September at the age of 15 years and 181 days.

Now the youngest player ever to represent Arsenal at senior level, he smashed the record previously set by Cesc Fabregas by almost a full year.

That underlines the faith Arteta has in the starlet, and he has featured in all four of Arsenal's friendlies during the World Cup.

He is yet to make his competitive debut at the Emirates Stadium - he was born after it opened in 2006 - but will hope to do so in 2023.

Folarin Balogun

Currently on loan at Ligue 1 side Reims, Folarin Balogun has smashed in eight goals in France's top division this term.

There were even rumours of the 21-year-old striker being recalled by the Gunners following the knee injury suffered by Gabriel Jesus, but he looks likely to stay in France for the rest of the season, as per Fabrizio Romano.

Balogun will hope to follow in Saliba's footsteps by successfully integrating into the Arsenal first team following a loan spell in France - and if he can carry on his goalscoring form, he will surely have a strong chance of doing just that.

Marcelo Flores

Marcelo Flores was signed by Arsenal in 2019, and despite already being a Mexico senior international, has yet to make his senior debut at club level.

The attacking midfielder, who can also play on the wing, is currently on loan at Real Oviedo in the Spanish second division.

He has impressed club chiefs, whilst former Barcelona and Mexico boss Gerardo Martino described the 18-year-old as 'everything you want in a player' back in June.

Upon his anticipated return to the Gunners, Flores will hope to break into Arteta's first-team squad next season.

Catalin Cirjan

Another young player that has featured during Arsenal's mid-season Dubai training camp, Catalin Cirjan has impressed Gunners fans in the U21 side this season.

He signed a new contract with the club in May, shortly after recovering from a serious knee injury that forced him to miss over a year of action.

He scored four goals in four youth team games last month, and went on to feature from the bench in the friendly against Lyon in Dubai.

The 20-year-old Romanian could get his chance in the first team over the coming months, with the youngster still awaiting his senior competitive debut.

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