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As Alex Iwobi clambers out of the wreckage of Arsenal 's season, fans are reminded 2015/16 hasn't been a complete failure.

The academy graduate impressed against Barcelona and scored his first league goal on his first league start in the 2-0 win over Everton.

Arsene Wenger's reputation for developing talent is well-founded, but not every young gun has lived up to their billing.

For every Iwobi, Jack Wilshere or Francis Coquelin, there has been a Luke Freeman, Craig Eastmond or Gilles Sunu.

Here, we take a look back at some of those 'next big things' who weren't able to forge a career at Arsenal.

Quincy Owusu-Abeyie

(Image: Paolo Bruno)

Fiercely quick, comfortable using both feet and great technique. The only thing Owusu-Abeyie lacked, as anyone who has watched him will know, was motivation.

First team appearances: 23.

What Wenger said about him:

"You expect youngsters to play with enthusiasm, but not necessarily with such quality."

Where is he now?

Free agent.

Which other clubs has he played for?

Spartak Moscow, Celta Vigo, Birmingham, Cardiff, Portsmouth, Al-Sadd, Malaga, Panathinaikos, Boavista.

Mark Randall

(Image: Getty)

Wenger persisted with Randall for a long time before eventually giving up and letting him leave. Randall himself said he thought his development had been hindered by going on loan to lower league clubs, whose playing style didn't suit him.

First team appearances: 15.

What Wenger said about him:

That he was "too good not to make it".

Where is he now?

Barnet.

Which other clubs has he played for?

Burnley, MK Dons, Rotherham, Chesterfield, Ascoli.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas

(Image: Getty)

Arguably the most disappointing of all the 'next big things' at Arsenal. Emmanuel-Thomas has the perfect striker's build and brilliant technique. He also captained the youth team to success in the FA Youth Cup.

First team appearances: Five.

What Wenger said about him:

"He has outstanding qualities, he has the build you dream to have. It is down to how far he wants to go because he has big potential."

Where is he now?

MK Dons (on loan).

Which other clubs has he played for?

Blackpool, Doncaster, Cardiff, Ipswich, Bristol City, QPR.

Emmanuel Frimpong

(Image: Getty)

Played alongside Jack Wilshere in central midfield during their time in the academy but couldn't make the step up with him to the first team. Hampered by some serious injury problems.

First team appearances: 16.

What Wenger said about him:

"I love his raw enthusiasm. The only problem is to keep him on the right track."

Where is he now?

FC Ufa.

Which other clubs has he played for?

Wolves, Charlton, Fulham, Barnsley.

Sanchez Watt

(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty)

Hackney-born Watt played for Senrab before coming to Arsenal. He had a good scoring record for the Gunners' youth and reserve teams and also netted on his senior debut. Finally let go in 2013, 15 years after joining the club.

First team appearances: Three.

What Wenger said about him:

"He is a little bit of a street player. He makes fantastic runs, he is an aggressive striker and he always finds resources to be dangerous."

Where is he now?

Kerala Blasters.

Which other clubs has he played for?

Southend, Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday, Crawley Town, Colchester United.

Håvard Nordtveit

(Image: Christian Verheyen/Getty Images)

Wenger was reluctant to let him leave the club but the Norway international was desperate for first team football. Could have returned to England in January with West Ham. Likely to make the move in the summer when his contract expires.

First team appearances: None.

What Wenger said about him:

“He is a fantastic character, with great quality."

Where is he now?

Borussia Mönchengladbach

Which other clubs has he played for?

Salamanca, Lillestrom, Nuremberg.

Fran Merida

(Image: Getty)

Merida claimed Wenger "begged" him not to go, and that he himself made a mistake in not listening to his then manager. Lost his way at Atletico.

First team appearances: Nine.

What Wenger said about him:

"He has good technique, he keeps the ball very well and is dangerous.”

Where is he now?

Huesca.

Which other clubs has he played for?

Real Sociedad, Atletico Madrid, Hercules, Atletico Paranaense.

David Bentley

(Image: Getty)

Not remembered fondly. Scored against Arsenal for Tottenham. He's now retired and runs a string of restaurants.

First team appearances: Nine.

What Wenger said about him:

"He was always a guy who had belief in his ability. It was always one of his strengths."

Where is he now?

Retired.

Which other clubs has he played for?

Norwich, Blackburn, Tottenham, Birmingham, West Ham, FC Rostov.

Benik Afobe

(Image: BPI)

Barcelona tried to sign him when he was a youth player at Arsenal but he turned them down. Has proven his quality since leaving Arsenal.

First team appearances: None.

What Wenger said about him:

"He had an outstanding attitude here and I am very pleased he has done well."

Where is he now?

Bournemouth.

Which other clubs has he played for?

Huddersfield, Reading, Bolton, Millwall, Sheffield Wednesday, MK Dons, Wolves.

Chuks Aneke

(Image: Victor Fraile)

Like Afobe, Aneke turned down the chance to move to Barcelona as a youngster. He probably regrets it more than Afobe.

First team appearances: One.

What Wenger said about him:

“Chuks is a bit like Yaya Toure – he has body power and good technique.”

Where is he now?

Zulte Waregem.

Which other clubs has he played for?

Stevenage, Preston North End, Crewe Alexandra.

Ryo Miyaichi

(Image: Scott Heavey)

An incredibly raw talent that failed to progress beyond that. Never looked as though he'd be good enough to make it at Arsenal.

First team appearances: Seven.

What Wenger said about him:

"I have great hopes for Ryo because he has the traditional Japanese qualities. Japanese players technically have a very good touch, they are mobile, agile, a bit lightweight but they move well."

Where is he now?

St. Pauli.

Which other clubs has he played for?

Feyenoord, Bolton, Wigan, FC Twente.

Henri Lansbury

(Image: Getty)

An Arsenal fan who could hold his own in the first team and won many supporters with his goal against Spurs in the League Cup. Now captaining a Championship club.

First team appearances: 16.

What Wenger said about him:

“At the moment it is a bit congested for him but I believe he has the talent to play for Arsenal Football Club."

Where is he now?

Nottingham Forest.

Which other clubs has he played for?

Scunthorpe, Watford, Norwich, West Ham.

Luke Freeman

(Image: Getty)

Arsenal fought off competition from Newcastle and West Ham to sign Freeman from Gillingham in 2008. At £225,000 Freeman was far from cheap but, despite a reasonable return for the Under-18 and reserve sides, never proved himself good enough for the first team.

First team appearances: None.

What Wenger said about him?

"He is a very interesting prospect. He is left-footed with a good eye for the goal. He is brave and has a good, positive personality."

Where is he now?

Bristol City.

Which other clubs has he played for?

Yeovil Town, Stevenage.

Craig Eastmond

(Image: Steve Bardens)

Eastmond made more senior appearances than many of those on this list but is now playing his football in the National League South. Part of the FA Youth Cup winning squad of 2008/09.

First team appearances: 10.

What Wenger said about him:

"We always felt that he is very intelligent in his reading of the game."

Where is he now?

Sutton United.

Which other teams has he played for?

Millwall, Wycombe Wanderers, Colchester United, Yeovil Town.

Arturo Lupoli

(Image: Getty)

A regular fixture for Italy and Arsenal's youth teams, his career went steadily downhill after leaving north London. Wenger admitted that while he had the technical qualities to succeed, physically he didn't progress as hoped.

First team appearances: 5.

What Wenger said about him:

"He is like a sniper. When you give him a chance, he takes it."

Where is he now?

Catania (on loan).

Which other teams he played for?

Derby, Fiorentina, Treviso, Norwich, Sheffield United, Ascoli, Grosseto, Varese, Budapest Honved, Frsinone, Pisa.