With the academy season almost complete it won’t be too long until clubs start announcing which youngsters will be departing when their contracts expire at the end of next month.
It is widely expected that Khayon Edwards, one of the longest serving academy players currently at the club, will be amongst those to leave Arsenal.
Edwards progressed all the way through the ranks at Hale End before signing scholarship terms in 2020 and later signing a professional contract. The striker was on the cusp of the first-team squad in 2022, being named on the bench on a couple of occasions, but has since fallen down the pecking order.
A loan spell at Leyton Orient in the second half of last season didn’t go entirely to plan and Edwards has spent this campaign playing for Arsenal at U21 level.
Even when the first-team endured a striker crisis, Edwards wasn’t called up beyond training sessions.
However, the 21-year-old has continued to work hard and has enjoyed an impressive campaign at U21 level which has encompassed him scoring 12 goals in 19 appearances.
Edwards scored in both of Arsenal U21s’ play-off fixtures and now seems ready to make the step up to senior football elsewhere.
Before then he will be hoping to be recognised for his efforts this campaign, with the forward having been nominated for the Premier League 2 player of the season award – the winner of which will be announced next week.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird