Arsenal are looking worryingly short at the back…
Arsenal defender Mathieu Debuchy will miss at least the next two months of the season with an ankle injury sustained against Manchester City – as confirmed by the Metro.
SEE ALSO:
Best teenagers in world football
Top 100 Sexiest Football WAGs In The World 2014.
Greatest football team of all time! Check out the best XI of the 21st Century
As a result, the Gunners have been left worryingly short at the back. Already without the injured Kieran Gibbs and the departed Thomas Vermaelen, Arsene Wenger has just four senior defenders to pick from: Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal and Calum Chambers.
With the January transfer window still some way away, Wenger may well be forced to promote from within to cover their lack of options. Here are five promising youth team players who could be used to fill in:
5) Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill
The left-back is not 19 until December, but he was a regular in the Gunners Under-21 line-up last season. The lightning fast teen loves to get forward with well-timed overlapping runs and was an integral part of the Youth League and Youth Cup squads last term.
4) Semi Ajayi
The towering 19-year-old centre back showed his promise with a number of competent displays for the under-21s last season.
The Nigeria youth international, who came through Charlton Athletic’s academy, joined Arsenal after a successful trial period in the autumn of 2013.
3) Isaac Hayden
A defensive midfielder by trade who is capable of dropping into the back four. The England youth international is comfortable on the ball, strong in the challenge and leads by example with his commitment and tenacity. He made his debut for the first team in the Capital One Cup victory at West Bromwich Albion in September 2013, partnering Per Mertesacker in central defence.
2) Carl Jenkinson
An unlikely option considering his current loan deal with West Ham United, but was Wenger wise enough to sneak a recall clause into his contract? The 22-year-old England international’s versatility will be much missed in these difficult times, as the former Charlton man would have been the ideal back-up for the current back four.
1) Hector Bellerin
A like-for-like replacement for the injured Debuchy. The pacy right back spent time on loan at Watford last season to gain valuable experience of first-team football. The young Spaniard also played against West Brom in the cup last season. trong in possession and direct going forward, Hector was part of the squad that visited New York in pre-season and he also featured in the 2014 Emirates Cup.
SEE ALSO: Best young football players in the world!