The next Bukayo Saka is emerging at Arsenal to solve huge Mikel Arteta dilemma

Arsenal youngster Sebastian Ferdinand (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Bukayo Saka, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri are just some of the bright talents to emerge from Arsenal's Hale End academy in recent years. Max Dowman, despite being just 15 years old, is already training with the first team and has racked up two senior appearances this season.

Mikel Arteta certainly has not been afraid to give youth a chance. Whether it be throwing a teenager into the deep end of a Champions League game or simply naming them on the bench in the Premier League, Arteta's methods have been effective.

As you would expect, too, there is plenty of talent in the Arsenal academy which is yet to be exposed to the tough reality of senior men's football. Opportunities will likely be handed out throughout the 2025/26 campaign and it will be up to the young players to take them.

One wonderkid who may find himself in and around the first team is Sebastian Ferdinand. The 19-year-old signed for Arsenal when he was 13 and has gone from strength to strength since.

After making 29 appearances for the Gunners in the Under-18 Premier League, he featured heavily for Arsenal Under-21s in Premier League 2 last season, scoring two goals in 11 games. Predominantly a right winger but also capable of playing on the left, Ferdinand has carried on his promising trajectory into the 2025/26 campaign, scoring two goals in the opening three games.

What makes his impact even more impressive is the fact he's only been on the pitch for 102 minutes. After coming off the bench against Nottingham Forest Under-21s and equalising late on, the teenager started and scored the only goal of the game against Brighton Under-21s the following week.

Although still very early on in the season, Ferdinand has started the campaign incredibly well and if he continues to perform, Arteta may well have no option but to take notice. The fact he plays as a winger could be seen as a bonus, too, with the youngster previously admitting he looks up to the likes of Saka.

"Particularly within our club, I really look up to Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Emile Smith Rowe, Gabriel Jesus – all of them, really," the teenager told the club's official website in October 2022. "Their flare and fearlessness to go at any player is something I’d love to add to my game. It’s especially inspirational to watch the boys who’ve made it through Hale End, because you look at their progress and wonder, could I be next?"

But exactly what sort of player is Ferdinand? "In terms of my game, I think of myself as a tricky winger who works hard in and out of possession and can contribute with goals and assists to help the team," he said.

"I'd love to get 20 goals and 10 assists across all competitions this season because as an attacker, that’s where the money’s made and where titles are won. But that will come.

"With Jack [Wilshere - Arsenal Under-18s head coach at the time], I'm definitely working on my defensive actions and fine-tuning my finishing. I wouldn't say I'm a bad finisher, but you can always get better! Just looking at the Premier League, Erling Haaland's already scored 11 goals this season! If you want to compete with the likes of him, you've got to be exceptional at finishing."

Ferdinand will be hoping to continue his fine form against Wolves Under-21s on Saturday, September 20. If he continues at his current rate, he may well make the step up to senior football sooner rather than later.