A 2-0 win over AC Milan saw Mesut Ozil, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Aaron Ramsey star for Arsenal. But had the domestic season not veered so wildly off course this should have been the stage on which the best of Arsene Wenger’s young guns were given a chance to prove their standing.

Wenger named his strongest side at the San Siro and was rewarded with Arsenal’s strongest performance since the 2-1 win over Chelsea in January’s EFL Cup semi-final, another match where the Gunners boss again fielded the best players available to him for a competition he has often placed minimal value in beyond youth development.

Using Ozil et al, of course, was not the plan from the outset of this European odyssey. Speaking before Arsenal’s first-game of the competition, that convincing 3-1 win over Cologne played out in front of an Emirates Stadium swelled by thousands of German fans, Wenger said his plan was to gradually integrate more youngsters when qualification had been assured.

That has not particularly proven to be the case, with even the stand-out Hale End graduates used to plug holes in the first-team squad rather than liberated and able to express their exuberance and talent.

Arsenal young guns - Unai Emery's bright prospects 8 show all Arsenal young guns - Unai Emery's bright prospects 1/8 Reiss Nelson The jewel in the crown, and perhaps the most exciting prospect to emerge from Hale End since Jack Wilshere.



Having spent much of last season eviscerating his contemporaries in Premier League 2, his promotion to the first team - where he is viewed as the likely successor to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - has been inevitable for some time.



Naturally an attacking winger, Wenger’s pet project may well be converting Nelson into a buccaneering right wing-back, having played him in that position both in pre-season games as well as Europa League and EFL Cup ties. Arsenal FC via Getty Images 2/8 Emile Smith Rowe Part of the England Under-17 side that won the World Cup in India Smith Rowe has established himself as another star in the making since his move infield to play in the centre of the Arsenal youth sides.



His magnificent ball control was on display in an FA Youth Cup semi-final win over Blackpool, when he beat six defenders on a run from his own half only to be denied a brilliant goal when he was fouled for a penalty he subsequently scored. Arsenal FC via Getty Images 3/8 Eddie Nketiah A goal machine at youth level, Nketiah faces as tough a challenge as any youngster in finding any significant opportunities in Wenger’s overloaded frontline. But with 27 goals in 39 youth games, he is making a convincing case.



Once of Chelsea, Nketiah is now an increasingly familiar name on the Arsenal bench and has caught Wenger’s eye.



The coach said of Nketiah: "I like the quality of Eddie’s movement, the quality of the areas he gets into, his strength, his determination to finish things off and his work rate as well. Arsenal FC via Getty Images 4/8 Joe Willock The last of the Willock clan left at Arsenal, with Matty having joined Manchester United in 2012 and the highly-rated Chris having been nabbed by Benfica on a free transfer this summer.



A rangy midfielder capable of pushing play forward from deep midfield, his growing prominence was reflected in Wenger’s decision to name Willock, and not Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, alongside Aaron Ramsey in the Emirates Cup. Arsenal FC via Getty Images 5/8 Charlie Gilmour Part of the Arsenal setup since the age of six, Scottish youth international Gilmour is another natural central midfielder who is inspired by one of the greats in his position.



"I use both feet and am developing my skills with Santi [Cazorla] as a model," he said. "Santi has such quick feet and can go in any direction - that’s why opponents don’t know what he’s going to do.



"Santi has so much footballing talent but he also has the talent to use it. He gives everything for every minute of every game. That’s why I admire him so much." Arsenal FC via Getty Images 6/8 Matt Macey Macey first appeared in Arsenal squads as early as November 2014 and has spent time on loan at Accrington Stanley, Bristol Rovers and Luton Town, for whom he made 11 appearances.



The 6ft 7in keeper is established as Arsenal’s third-choice goalkeeper with Emiliano Martinez out on loan, though he is unlikely to be given many opportunities unless Petr Cech and David Ospina are injured. Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images 7/8 Xavier Amaechi Amaechi signed his first professional contract at the soonest possible moment, his 17th birthday, proof of the regard in which he is held at Hale End.



The winger is blessed with explosive pace to rival the likes of Hector Bellerin and has shown he is no slouch in front of goal, scoring a stunning strike in a win against Tottenham U18s in November 2017. Arsenal FC via Getty Images 8/8 Tyreece John-Jules John-Jules played a starring role in Arsenal's run to the 2018 FA Youth Cup Final, scoring in the semi-finals, quarters and round of 16.



The youngster grew up idolising Thierry Henry and briefly worked alongside his hero in the Arsenal youth setup, seemingly learning how to finish instinctively from the master. Arsenal FC via Getty Images 1/8 Reiss Nelson The jewel in the crown, and perhaps the most exciting prospect to emerge from Hale End since Jack Wilshere.



Having spent much of last season eviscerating his contemporaries in Premier League 2, his promotion to the first team - where he is viewed as the likely successor to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - has been inevitable for some time.



Naturally an attacking winger, Wenger’s pet project may well be converting Nelson into a buccaneering right wing-back, having played him in that position both in pre-season games as well as Europa League and EFL Cup ties. Arsenal FC via Getty Images 2/8 Emile Smith Rowe Part of the England Under-17 side that won the World Cup in India Smith Rowe has established himself as another star in the making since his move infield to play in the centre of the Arsenal youth sides.



His magnificent ball control was on display in an FA Youth Cup semi-final win over Blackpool, when he beat six defenders on a run from his own half only to be denied a brilliant goal when he was fouled for a penalty he subsequently scored. Arsenal FC via Getty Images 3/8 Eddie Nketiah A goal machine at youth level, Nketiah faces as tough a challenge as any youngster in finding any significant opportunities in Wenger’s overloaded frontline. But with 27 goals in 39 youth games, he is making a convincing case.



Once of Chelsea, Nketiah is now an increasingly familiar name on the Arsenal bench and has caught Wenger’s eye.



The coach said of Nketiah: "I like the quality of Eddie’s movement, the quality of the areas he gets into, his strength, his determination to finish things off and his work rate as well. Arsenal FC via Getty Images 4/8 Joe Willock The last of the Willock clan left at Arsenal, with Matty having joined Manchester United in 2012 and the highly-rated Chris having been nabbed by Benfica on a free transfer this summer.



A rangy midfielder capable of pushing play forward from deep midfield, his growing prominence was reflected in Wenger’s decision to name Willock, and not Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, alongside Aaron Ramsey in the Emirates Cup. Arsenal FC via Getty Images 5/8 Charlie Gilmour Part of the Arsenal setup since the age of six, Scottish youth international Gilmour is another natural central midfielder who is inspired by one of the greats in his position.



"I use both feet and am developing my skills with Santi [Cazorla] as a model," he said. "Santi has such quick feet and can go in any direction - that’s why opponents don’t know what he’s going to do.



"Santi has so much footballing talent but he also has the talent to use it. He gives everything for every minute of every game. That’s why I admire him so much." Arsenal FC via Getty Images 6/8 Matt Macey Macey first appeared in Arsenal squads as early as November 2014 and has spent time on loan at Accrington Stanley, Bristol Rovers and Luton Town, for whom he made 11 appearances.



The 6ft 7in keeper is established as Arsenal’s third-choice goalkeeper with Emiliano Martinez out on loan, though he is unlikely to be given many opportunities unless Petr Cech and David Ospina are injured. Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images 7/8 Xavier Amaechi Amaechi signed his first professional contract at the soonest possible moment, his 17th birthday, proof of the regard in which he is held at Hale End.



The winger is blessed with explosive pace to rival the likes of Hector Bellerin and has shown he is no slouch in front of goal, scoring a stunning strike in a win against Tottenham U18s in November 2017. Arsenal FC via Getty Images 8/8 Tyreece John-Jules John-Jules played a starring role in Arsenal's run to the 2018 FA Youth Cup Final, scoring in the semi-finals, quarters and round of 16.



The youngster grew up idolising Thierry Henry and briefly worked alongside his hero in the Arsenal youth setup, seemingly learning how to finish instinctively from the master. Arsenal FC via Getty Images

​Reiss Nelson, who many consider the most exciting prospect of the Arsenal academy since Jack Wilshere, got three starts in the group stages but on each occasion was filling in for Hector Bellerin as a right wing-back.

The defensive workload will doubtless aid the 18-year-old’s long-term career development – and he holds no resentment over being given most of his opportunities away from his preferred advanced role – but the raw talent that has blitzed defences in youth competitions looked shackled in a competition that Wenger had intended to be a proving ground for the best and brightest.

Even if the domestic campaign had been going great guns and Champions League qualification through the top four were a realistic aim it is conceivable Wenger would already be gearing up for a tilt at a first European trophy. However even then the desperation would not be such that the likes of Ramsey would be rested for games against Brighton.

The Europa League is now the be-all and end-all.

So, with the Premier League season now so far off the rails that Arsenal are now travelling through the unfamiliar territory of upper-mid table, why not use the remainder of the season productively in blooding the next generation of Gunners talent?

After all, what is the worst that could happen? Champions League qualification through the league is only a mathematical possibility whilst tanking out of sixth place may not be the worst idea even if and failing to qualify for the Europa League would hit Arsenal’s finances to the tune of around £30million.

The title-winning Chelsea side of 2016-17 and the Liverpool team that so nearly claimed the crown three years earlier are proof that a season free of continental distractions can do wonders for a club’s domestic form. Even if going from crisis to champions would be the longest of shots the grind of Thursday-Sunday football is something either Wenger or his successor could do without next season.

In Pictures | AC Milan vs Arsenal | 08/03/2018 27 show all In Pictures | AC Milan vs Arsenal | 08/03/2018 1/27 AFP/Getty Images 2/27 Getty Images 3/27 Getty Images 4/27 AFP/Getty Images 5/27 Getty Images 6/27 AFP/Getty Images 7/27 Getty Images 8/27 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 9/27 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 10/27 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 11/27 AFP/Getty Images 12/27 Getty Images 13/27 AFP/Getty Images 14/27 Getty Images 15/27 AFP/Getty Images 16/27 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 17/27 Getty Images 18/27 REUTERS 19/27 Getty Images 20/27 Getty Images 21/27 Getty Images 22/27 Getty Images 23/27 Getty Images 24/27 Getty Images 25/27 Getty Images 26/27 Getty Images 27/27 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 1/27 AFP/Getty Images 2/27 Getty Images 3/27 Getty Images 4/27 AFP/Getty Images 5/27 Getty Images 6/27 AFP/Getty Images 7/27 Getty Images 8/27 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 9/27 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 10/27 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 11/27 AFP/Getty Images 12/27 Getty Images 13/27 AFP/Getty Images 14/27 Getty Images 15/27 AFP/Getty Images 16/27 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 17/27 Getty Images 18/27 REUTERS 19/27 Getty Images 20/27 Getty Images 21/27 Getty Images 22/27 Getty Images 23/27 Getty Images 24/27 Getty Images 25/27 Getty Images 26/27 Getty Images 27/27 Arsenal FC via Getty Images

A return to the top table by winning the Europa League is of course good news but another season on the Europa circuit does no-one any favours.

If Wenger is to be replaced this summer embracing a youth project over the final weeks of the domestic term would ensure the next Arsenal manager has a much greater understanding of what he can expect from his best prospects next season.

Meanwhile the cost of not developing these youngsters has been made all the clearer in Catalunya, where one of several who got away was donning one of the most famous shirts in world football for the first time.

Marcus McGuane, the second Englishman to play for Barcelona after Gary Lineker, made his debut in the 77th minute of the Catalan Super Cup against Espanyol, ending the match with his first winners’ medal after a penalty shootout win.

“It was a massive experience, a massive achievement for me and my family,” the ex-Arsenal youngster said after his debut. “Words can’t really describe how it felt walking out there but it felt really good and I’m really proud.”

Entering the action in place of Aleix Vidal was a far cry for the Greenwich-born prospect, who at the start of January might reasonably have been expecting to line up alongside the likes of Conor Hourihane at Aston Villa or join Brendan Rodgers at Celtic.

By that time it had become apparent that Wenger would not be giving him many opportunities to add to his 12 Europa League minutes. Whether that was the right decision by the Arsenal manager will not be apparent for several years but the Barcelona hierarchy have seen something in McGuane that the Gunners did not and he is expected to join Ernesto Valverde’s first-team squad in pre-season training this summer.

The exodus of English talent abroad, whilst hardly confined just to Arsenal, is becoming an increasingly familiar sight and one that surely bodes well for the England national team. As for the Gunners though, it is already beginning to look like a serious problem.

After all, a decade ago no young English prospect would have doubted that by Wenger’s side was the best place to learn their trade. But now?

Indeed Standard Sport understands that some youngsters who have spent time training with the first team have come back noting that the manager has scarcely spoken to them.

Chris Willock could have signed an extension at Arsenal last summer. He could even have defected to Premier League rivals Manchester City. But he saw Benfica as the best destination for his development, a decision that has been largely vindicated even if he is yet to bust into the first team.

Like McGuane, Willock is benefitting from playing competitive football in a B team environment where his club is invested in his development – as opposed to a loan spell in the English lower leagues where short-termism is prevalent – and taking on seasoned professionals battling to make it into the upper leagues.

As European clubs grow increasingly aware of the bargains that could be snared from the Premier League academies it is no surprise that Nelson has caught the eye of many. With only 15 months left on his contract there has been a lengthy queue of clubs taking an interest in the 19-year-old. Real Madrid and Monaco are among the leading contenders.

There is reason for optimism that the boyhood Arsenal fan from Elephant and Castle will stay put, as Standard Sport first revealed in November, but should Nelson and his ilk struggle for opportunities who could blame them for looking enviously at McGuane and Willock over the coming years?

The purpose of the Europa League and even the EFL Cup was to nurture the next generation. Those once minor competitions have now come to define Arsenal season, quite possibly at the cost of England’s finest young talents falling by the wayside.