UNAI EMERY could be forced to call up the young guns to bolster his Arsenal senior squad next season.
The Gunners boss admitted he wants to sign "three or four expensive players" before the transfer window shuts – but has just £45million to spend.
Gabriel Martinelli is Arsenal's only summer arrival following his £6million move from Brazilian side Ituano.
But Emery's youngsters have already proved their first-team potential during the club's pre-season tour.
The Spanish tactician has hinted that the rising stars could be the answer to his problems for the 2019/20 campaign.
Speaking about possible transfers, he said: "We are waiting. We have very good players – very good young players.
"Really I am [patient] because we want the solution. Some players are very expensive and we are waiting for this possibility."
SunSport have pulled together a list of the five players that could save the Gunners boss from splashing the cash.
EDDIE NKETIAH
Nketiah has caught the eye after scoring three goals in his last two matches during Arsenal's pre-season tour.
The striker, 20, found the net twice as the North London club beat Italian side Fiorentina 3-0 in the International Champions Cup this weekend.
Speaking about Nketiah after the match, Emery said: "His progress is impressive – we want to progress with every player.
"[Nketiah] has a very good attitude and he needs experience, minutes and confidence."
But the England Under-21 international has admitted he will sit down with Emery when he gets back from the US tour to discuss his immediate future, but Emery has already appeared to rule out a loan move away.
BUKAYO SAKA
Academy product Saka has played in all three of Arsenal's pre-season matches as he continues to flourish under Emery.
He has even claimed that the youngsters are ready to "take on the world" after their impressive run of form.
The 17-year-old said: "The players coming up from the academy are so special. The next generation of us can be in this Arsenal team and take on the world.
"The boss is doing a good job of managing all of us, helping us to progress everyday and to learn.
"I just have to keep pushing, showing the boss what I can do and when the time comes, I am ready to play. When I get the chance, then I can take it."
JOE WILLOCK
Willock – who was born with one leg shorter than the other – is the last of his three brothers trying to make their name at Arsenal.
He was handed six appearances by Emery during the 2018/19 campaign and was included in the tour squad.
The 19-year-old attacking midfielder added another goal to his tally after coming off the bench against Fiorentina.
Gunners veteran Mesut Ozil has tipped the England Under-20 star to become a "big player" at the Emirates.
Speaking on the club website, he said: "He knows what he can do, so he is not arrogant on the pitch but he believes in himself.
"Especially yesterday against Bayern Munich, against a big club, he shows his quality. We are happy to have him.
REISS NELSON
Nelson is one of the most promising rising stars on Arsenal's books, but he struggled to make his mark against Fiorentina.
He has insisted that he has grown, emotionally and physically, after his loan spell with German club Hoffenheim last season.
The 19-year-old has claimed that fans will "be shocked" by his progress since making his club debut two years ago.
And his stats in the league last season show that he has a better minute to goal ratio than top Arsenal target Wilfried Zaha.
The Arsenal man scored a goal every 90 minutes while it took Zaha 301 minutes to bag each Premier League strike.
EMILE SMITH ROWE
Smith Rowe is now hoping to impress Emery after spending last season out on loan with RB Leipzig.
But he was restricted to just three appearances for the Bundesliga side after struggling with injury.
He made his name for the Gunners during last season's tour of Asia and in the early stages of the Carabao Cup and Europa League.
Ozil has also tipped Smith Rowe to make his breakthrough into the first team next season.
The German midfielder said: "Don't forget Emile [Smith Rowe]. He is injured so he is coming back, we know his quality as well. At Arsenal, I think we are lucky to have those young players."
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