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Arsenal have officially confirmed nine first-year scholars for the 2026/27 season as the club continues to strengthen its Hale End pathway. The Arsenal first-year scholars have signed two-year agreements and will now begin working full-time within the academy.
The club announced Hakeem Abubakar, Elyon Mbala, Daniel McCarron, Emerson Nwaneri, Jayden Oba, Theo Odaji-Ukueku, Angelinou Pedro, Charlie Purdy and Joshua Sesay as its latest intake.
Arsenal welcomed the players and their families to Emirates Stadium for a signing event. Head of Academy Coaching Luke Hobbs and Head of Academy Operations Will Oldham also attended as the teenagers began the next stage of their development.
The full group was confirmed in Arsenal’s official academy announcement.
🚨 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋: Arsenal’s first-year scholars for 2026/27. ✅✍️
Hakeem Abubakar
Theo Odaji-Ukueko
Angelinou Pedro
Daniel McCarron
Jayden Oba
Elyon Mbala
Charlie Purdy
Joshua Sesay
Emerson Nwaneri (not pictured)
Congratulations to all the lads! ❤️👏 pic.twitter.com/GcZr0g40ya
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) July 27, 2026
Arsenal first-year scholars include Emerson Nwaneri
Nwaneri is one of the most recognisable names in the group. The midfielder is the younger brother of first-team player Ethan Nwaneri and has already represented Arsenal above his age group.
He featured for the Under-18s during the second half of last season and also gained experience with the Under-21s and Under-19s. Nwaneri scored the winning goal when Arsenal lifted the Premier League Under-16 National Finals trophy.
McCarron is the only scholar in the group to arrive from another club. The Northern Ireland youth international joined from Dungannon Swifts after gaining senior experience in his home country.
Several other members of the intake have already played Under-18 football. Abubakar and Mbala provide options at left-back, while Pedro and Odaji-Ukueku strengthen the defensive areas.
Purdy adds technical quality in midfield. Oba and Sesay offer attacking options after contributing to Arsenal’s success at Under-16 level.
The pathway towards senior football remains demanding. However, ReadArsenal recently reported that several academy players travelled to Spain with Mikel Arteta’s first-team group, showing that strong performances can produce training opportunities.
The Arsenal first-year scholars will primarily feature in the Under-18 Premier League and FA Youth Cup. Their first season will indicate which players are ready to progress quickly towards the Under-21s.