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Starlet that faced FC Nurnberg could be Arsenal’s next big thing (plus video)

Arsenal have a gem on their hands

Arsenal have always produced good players in their academy, whether you talk about the 20th or the 21st century.

However, lately the quality production house seems to have reached a next gear. Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah are names that have already established themselves.

And there are upcoming players such as Folarin Balogun, Charlie Patino, Miguel Azeez and Omari Hutchinson, who will hope to follow in the footsteps of Saka and Smith Rowe.

But there is one player who has gone under the radar until now. And that makes sense because the Nurnberg game was the first time, he was involved with the first team in any capacity under Mikel Arteta.

He goes by the name of Reuell Walters and judging from the game against the German outfit last week, he might just well be the next gem in the Arsenal ranks.

The 17-year-old was on the pitch for a full 45 minutes in Germany and caught the eyes of many.

The youngster was snapped up last year by the Gunners after a break from football. Which is very strange in the current football world we live in.

But it’s testament to his outlook in life and knowing what’s important and what’s not.

After signing his first pro contract with the club last February, Walters admitted that he was grateful for the opportunity.

He told the Arsenal Media, “I’m just really grateful for the opportunity I’ve being given.”

The former academy product of Spurs said, “I just want to make sure that I start to push on and do what I’ve been doing before, but now to a new level.”

Walters has everything you need to be considered a good defender in modern football. He’s fast, he’s strong, he’s good on the ball and most importantly, he makes good decisions on the pitch.

Everyone who has seen him play will admit that he has maturity beyond his years. His versatility to play either as a center back or a right back is another element that deserves a mention.

Walters has already made 33 appearances for the youth side of the Gunners, while also racking up three for England U18s.

A full season with the reserve squad of Arsenal and then maybe a loan deal will place the defender in a perfect position to fight for a spot in the first team.

Who knows, he could be knocking on manager Mikel Arteta’s door much sooner than that?

Yash Bisht

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14 Comments

  1. Very ignorant as I’ve never heard of him until now. Thanks for raising his profile.

    I remember watching Arsenal play Leicester some three years ago (I think) and this spritely boy came on as substitute around 70 mins we were winning I think 2-0 but he was a real standout player for the rest of the match I think we won 3-1 in the end. The player was Bukayo Saka I remember on the way home raving about him to my Leicester fan mate rubbing salt in his sore wound. I think it was Saka’s first PL game, the rest has been a revelation. Love to see our Academy players so well.

  2. We’ve got some fantastic youth in the ranks that are very promising indeed. Walters, Balogun and Patino have definitely caught my eye when they’ve been given the chance. Maybe it’s time for MA to put more faith in them and promote them? Could save a bunch of money too. Although, I still feel we need some additional experience adding to the squad. We just need to move a few out first and our squad depth would be better for next season with some youth being promoted.

    1. MA can’t win though , he if plays the youth more and it doesn’t come off everyone says why didn’t he go and buy an experienced player, and if he buys an experienced player everyone says why didn’t you play more youth players.

  3. So I know the match against Nuremberg was little more than a training exercise, but my first impressions of young Walters are very favourable.He is endowed with pace and poise which are two great assets to have in someone so young. Well done YB for highlighting his performance which I suspect will be the first of many for Arsenal.This lad could be a viable solution at RB and save us millions.

    1. All that whilst having to play alongside Mari! Impressive debut for one so young. We see kids debuting in midfield or strikers, but pretty rare to witness a 17yo CB even playing in the first team, let alone one being our most assured defender.

      1. We have done it though, I remember seeing Tony Adams and David O’Leary playing their first games as 17 yr olds and looking like experienced pros at that age.

  4. So few defenders come out of our academy. Why pay 20/30/50 mill for defenders when we can get our own free? Hope this kid kicks on. Getting their head space right and showing faith is critical Niles/ Nelson/ Nketiah) all come to mind. Always believed we need a 33 man squad. 2 senior players in every position and a 3rd U21 player in every position to develop and as cover. Will watch this one with interest.

  5. While chatting with Phil (PAL) the other day, he talked about the excellent work Per was doing and this highlights his belief.
    Like most, I don’t know much about player, so thanks for the article.
    Hales End has paid for the considerable investment time and time again and we have to congratulate the club for it’s foresight – our record for developing youth is known sound the world.

      1. But is it enough to compete…..The quality the past few years had increasingly improved with Saka and ESR already leading the team at 20/21 years of age!!!!But WE néed to invest to keep theme in the club to avoid a Fabregas/Nasri type of scenario…

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