Producing high quality centre-backs is one of the most challenging aspects of academy development, with players in that position often tending to fully mature later than others.
For Arsenal U21s, however, there have been some encouraging signs of late at the heart of the defence, with Marli Salmon and Will Sweet striking up an encouraging partnership despite the fact that both players are featuring above their age group.
Salmon is just 15 years old but has already started four games in Premier League 2, which is an extremely rare feat as far as an Arsenal schoolboy defender is concerned.
The prospect’s performances often belie his years in that he is very calm even when under intense pressure, while he also has excellent distribution.
Whereas many young defenders can be a little rushed in attempting to win possession, Salmon often stands his ground and doesn’t allow the attacking player to get past him.
It will be intriguing to see how the youngster will continue to develop next season but the early signs are certainly very encouraging and he already has an aura on the pitch which many top players have.
Sweet, meanwhile, has steadily worked his way up through the ranks at Hale End and has now established himself in the U21 side.
Previously the captain of the U18s, Sweet is a dynamic passer of the ball, while he is continuing to make progress defensively.
Like Salmon, Sweet often remains calm under pressure and reads the game extremely well.
Sweet trained with the first-team recently and his status as a left-sided centre-back could eventually lead to him having more involvement with the senior squad.
Arsenal U21s kept a clean sheet against Norwich in a 3-0 victory at Carrow Road and will now be hopeful of further shutouts, while Sweet got his first goal for the U21s in that game.
Brayden Clarke, who already has a professional contract, is another very useful option on the right side of the centre-back pairing, while he can also play at right-back.
Arsenal U21s have two matches remaining of the regular season – at home to Derby County and away to West Bromwich Albion – before the playoffs get underway.
With Salmon and Sweet at the back Arsenal will be confident that they have the foundation behind them that is required for success.