Arsenal are reportedly hopeful that 18-year-old striker Khayon Edwards will sign a new contract with the north London club, according to Football London, with the youngster starting to make a serious impression for the Gunners' youth sides.

The English youngster is currently on a scholarship deal that is set to expire in the summer and talks regarding an extension have been ongoing over recent months.

However, it is believed that both parties are nearing an agreement, with Edwards sharing the same agent as Hale End product Bukayo Saka.

The question is, can the 18-year-old be the next player to step up into Mikel Arteta's first-team plans?

In the pipeline

Having scored 16 goals and registered five assists in 16 appearances in the U18 Premier League this term, it's no surprise that Arsenal are incredibly keen to keep Edwards on their books.

The 18-year-old has also played twice for the U23s in the Premier League 2, scoring once.

Academy chief and former Arsenal player Per Mertesacker recently discussed his vision for creating 'Strong Young Gunners', with Edwards firmly part of that vision.

The former defender said: “Strong Young Gunners means this is our vision where we want our players to stand strong in every scenario they will face. We are passionate about creating youngsters who can rise to any challenge and we have a rich history and heritage we want to pay tribute to and carry on."

Arteta has done brilliantly to integrate youngsters into the first team, with both Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe strong examples given their Hale End credentials.

Saka (20) and Smith-Rowe (21) have both scored ten goals across all competitions this season and have also scored for the England senior team, with the former heavily involved in the Three Lions' run to the European Championship final last summer.

Moreover, 18-year-old midfielder Charlie Patino was awarded an appearance against Sunderland earlier this season in the EFL Cup and scored.

Edwards, who was dubbed "deadly" by Football.London's Kaya Kaynak, will undoubtedly want to replicate the duo's fortunes and make his own pathway into the first team over the coming seasons.

The teenager could find himself on the end of an opportunity to impress the Arsenal boss soon, particularly with striker Alexandre Lacazette still yet to sign a contract extension ahead of the expiry of his deal in June whilst the same applies for Eddie Nketiah.

However, if the English youngster is to sign a new contract with Arsenal, there will certainly have to be a belief that the 18-year-old can eventually work his way into the first-team plans and become the next Saka.

He's certainly exciting and confident enough to do exactly that.

AND in other news: Arteta must ruthlessly axe "shocking" £18m-rated AFC liability, he's "not world-class"