Arsenal seem to produce nothing but the best talent at their famous Hale End academy throughout the years, with the likes of Ashley Cole, Jack Wilshere and most recently Bukayo Saka stamping their authority in the first-team from an early age and never looking back.

Indeed, with Saka, Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith-Rowe all members of Mikel Arteta’s first-team squad this term, the growing consensus is that if you are talented and hungry for success, there will be an opportunity in the first-team, which will give plenty of confidence to the next set of youth prospects.

One player who is currently excelling in the academy is Charles Sagoe Jr, who may well be eyeing up a place in the first-team over the next season or two.

Could Arteta unearth his own Walcott in Sagoe Jr?

Theo Walcott joined Arsenal at the tender age of 16 from Southampton in a transfer which reverberated around the country, even more so when he was called up to England’s World Cup squad for the finals in Germany just a few months later.

Over the next 11-and-a-half seasons, Walcott scored 108 goals and racked up 80 assists, although the jury is out on whether he lived up to the lofty hype which was generated following his move in 2006.

What can’t be underestimated is his wonderful goalscoring ability from a wide position. He was usually deployed on the right wing, although he could also feature across the front three wherever required.

Sagoe Jr’s strongest position is on the left wing, although he can also operate through the middle, either as a centre-forward or as an attacking midfielder, and this versatility will be a huge bonus for Arteta.

The 18-year-old is cut from a similar cloth as Walcott, demonstrated by his tally of 14 goals and five assists in 52 appearances for Arsenal’s U18 and U21 sides, and he looks ready to make the next step sooner rather than later.

Like the now-Southampton winger, Sageo Jr is capable of causing “problems” – according to journalist Kaya Kaynack – from out wide, and the ease of his transition from the U18 ranks to the older age group could stand him in good stead, suggesting that he may not be daunted by making the jump to senior level.

Arteta is spoilt for choice with excellent wingers these days, with Saka and Gabriel Martinelli providing plenty of creative spark. However, there appears to be plenty of chances for young players if they are progressing on the right path, and the Emirates Stadium faithful could soon be about to see the next Walcott in the flesh.