Limpar´s advice to Arsenal: Look after the academy players

Arsenal have a great reputation of bringing youngsters through the academy, and the next one looking to get his final breakthrough is Ethan Nwaneri, and Anders Limpar urges the club to look very carefully after him.

Tony Adams, Jack Wilshere, Bukayo Saka… Three players from three different eras. All of them coming through the academy at Arsenal, who have a great history of bringing players through.

New names could be on the way, and one of them, who has already shown what he can do on the big stage, could be on the verge of a big breakthrough. Ethan Nwaneri is still just 18 years old and the expectations are high for the attacking player.

Anders Limpar urges Arsenal to look after him and remember the importance of bringing young players through the academy.

Academy players are the future

With the amount of money involved in modern football, there is less focus on bringing academy players through at big clubs. However, Limpar urges Arsenal to remember the importance of bringing academy products through and having players with Arsenal in their blood representing the first team.

“I think they have to be careful because the academy players are the future. 20-30 years ago, you had to bring up academy players, and Arsenal have been doing great to bring up those players.”

“But it´s more rare nowadays and it´s more normal to bring in 18-19 year olds from abroad, but you have to be very careful as a big club and you need to look after the academy players. You can´t just buy players.”

“But that´s the way it goes in the modern football world, as it is becoming a money business.”

Lewis-Skelly should be a full time fullback

Myles Lewis-Skelly got his final breakthrough at Arsenal as a left back, but growing up he played more in midfield. However, his great performances in his new position should be rewarded as the left back position should be considered his now, according to Limpar.

“I’d rather Lewis-Skelly have one position. He’s competing with an unbelievable player in Calafiori. I think Arteta should pick a position for him at fullback, which is his position.”

“When you play the likes of City, Liverpool and United you have to be a bit more defensive. But at The Emirates you can play Ben White and Skelly and be a bit more attacking.”

“It’s risky playing like that at Anfield as you will be punished. Arteta is so clever and Arsenal can approach games in different ways.”

Arsenal have a tougher start to the season taking on Manchester United away whereas Liverpool play Bournemouth at home and Manchester City travel to Wolves. The visit to Old Trafford can really kickstart Arsenal's season. Chelsea are the only other team with realistic title aspirations and they take on Crystal Palace at home on the opening day. They are all favoured to start the season with three points however, the opening day always throws up a surprise and is usually the perfect time to use our accumulator calculator and putting on an acca!

Read who Limpar thinks Arsenal should sign