Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says that their young gun Chuba Akpom is 'close to the first team' and he was full of praise for the striker, reported the Telegraph.

The teenager has been able to draw thousands of people's attention and has been recognised as a great prospect by Wenger.

Chuba Akpom has not stagnated and has been developing always. He had contributed 15 goals last season for the club’s various academy teams and it is just a measure of how influencial he has been for the academy sides.

Other academy young guns like Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Stefan O’Connor have also been impressive. Akpom has played through the various age-groups for England either as a the single striker or sat ahead of the three strikers when three were used up front.

Tuesday night will be a huge game for Gedion Zelalem as well as The Telegraph states that he might get a chance too against Galatasaray. At the outset, Arsenal's first team player Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says:

“You have to be challenged at some point. Everyone is individual and the pressures of the game at this level are different for everyone. Maybe you do play without fear – that can be the best way to approach a big situation like the Champions League.

For the more experienced players in the team, it is their responsibility to help the young ones get through the game and cope with it. There will be some nerves but that’s normal.”

The six teenagers who are likely to be on Arsenal's bench against Galatasaray:

Alex Iwobi, Gedion Zelalem, Chuba Akpom, Glen Kamara, Stefan O'Connor and Ainsley Maitland-Niles.