Arsenal finished off the Premier League season on Sunday with a 3-1 win over Burnley. The Gunners are now preparing for the Europa League Final against Chelsea on May 29th. The Gunners’ Europa League Final will see midfielder Aaron Ramsey remain out due to a hamstring injury.
Ramsey will leave the Emirates on June 30th having signed a pre-contract with Serie A’s Juventus.
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Emery is already preparing for life without the influential midfielder and has identified a replacement for the Welshman.
Reinforcements from the academy
Emery is expected to have little in the way of transfer funds in the summer. Owner Stan Kroenke’s desire to invest heavily in the Gunners is low compared to his financial dealings with his American sports teams the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche and NFL’s Los Angeles Rams.
Due to the lack of transfer money available, Emery is interested in promoting youth players Joe Willock and Eddie Nketiah. He believes one of the two, or both, can take over for Aaron Ramsey.
Both players featured in Arsenal’s season finale and supporters took note praising their performances.
Arsenal – Joe Willock
Willock featured for Arsenal’s Premier League 2 team 12 times scoring six goals and adding two assists. He added three more goals in two appearances in the EFL Trophy.
Emery believes Willock needs a chance to play and develop just like Ramsey did when he arrived from Cardiff City.
Willock is just 19-years old and has progressed up the Arsenal ladder since arriving in his earlier teens.
Arsenal – Eddie Nketiah
Nketiah had an equally strong Premier League 2 season. The midfielder scored nine times in 10 appearances for the Gunners’ Premier League 2 side. He added four assists for the team.
Nketiah played five times for the senior side in the Premier League and scored one goal.
The midfielder joined Arsenal from Chelsea’s youth academy in 2015 and has risen through the ranks.
Emery has two very exciting young players on his hands and the duo could fill the void left by Aaron Ramsey. This time next season, supporters may have forgotten about the midfielder if Willock and Nketiah rise to the occasion.