Two Arsenal academy stars could be handed first-team chance as squad number 'clue' spotted

Two Arsenal academy stars could be handed an opportunity in the first team next season after a shirt number 'clue' was spotted.

Arsenal's Hale End academy is responsible for producing some of the club's top stars over many years, including Bukayo Saka, Ashley Cole, Tony Adams, Ray Parlour and Paul Merson.

Saka has recently committed to a long-term contract which will keep him at the Emirates Stadium until the summer of 2027, and is undoubtedly the biggest success from the academy within the current squad.

Manager Mikel Arteta is keen to grant opportunities to star members of the Hale End setup, regardless of their experience level.

That was proven last September, when Ethan Nwaneri became the youngest player ever to appear in a Premier League game at 15 years and 181 days.

Nwaneri has not featured for Arteta's side since then, but Fabrizio Romano reported on Friday that the Gunners have handed the youngster a record-breaking new contract to fend off interest from Chelsea and Manchester City.

And he is one of two starlets that could be given more chances under Arteta next term.

Two Arsenal starlets could be handed golden opportunity as 'clue' spotted

Arsenal Youth writer Jeorge Bird has reported both Nwaneri and fellow wonderkid Myles Lewis-Skelly have been given lower numbers than typically handed out to first year scholars.

He tweeted: "First year scholars are usually given quite high squad numbers but it looks like Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri have been given lower numbers as they will probably be involved in the EFL Trophy and first team training."

Bird adds that Lewis-Skelly has been given shirt number 59, while Nwaneri will wear number 63, which are classed as U21 numbers not normally given to first year scholars. Both players featured for the U21s last season.

The Gunners will field an U21 team in the EFL Trophy, as they have done every season since Premier League reserve were allowed into the competition. It was previously a competition competed between League One and League Two clubs.

Lewis-Skelly, 16, is a defensive midfielder who is capable of carrying the ball forward and moving between the lines with ease.

He was invited onto the club's mid-season training camp to Dubai last year, and both starlets played a key role for England U17s in the recent U17 European Championship.

Nwaneri started four of the five matches and scored in the 1-0 win over Croatia, while Lewis-Skelly registered a goal and an assist in his four appearances.