At times in recent years Arsenal have often not had enough young goalkeepers but now they have several options in that regard, to the extent that some of them have seen their playing time restricted at U23 level this season.

Here’s an assessment of Arsenal’s young goalkeepers and a look at who is most likely to make the step up to the first-team.

Matt Macey earned praise from Arsene Wenger after featuring for the first-team against Norwich City and Red Star Belgrade and the 23-year-old is certainly very close to becoming a bonafide senior player.

There is a chance that Macey could be officially promoted next summer, although he will surely have to be patient for further game time this season, especially once David Ospina returns to full fitness.

Deyan Iliev has finally emerged from his injury nightmare and made the bench for the first-team for the first time against Norwich recently.

The Macedonian has continued to train regularly with the first-team and, while it was initially anticipated that he may be released when his contract expires at the end of this season, it now isn’t a foregone conclusion that he will be let go.

Iliev appears to have improved of late, although at the age of 22, he may look to go out on loan at some stage to gain experience of first-team football.

Ryan Huddart was once tipped to make the breakthrough into the first-team squad and was on the bench for Champions League games against Anderlecht at the age of 17.

Now 20, Huddart is still awaiting a subsequent first-team call-up and, while he remains an impressive shot-stopper, it wouldn’t be entirely surprising if he was to leave next summer.

Hugo Keto has endured a frustrating start to the campaign as he has started just one game for Arsenal U23s.

Keto is capable of making some excellent saves and is certainly one of the most talented young goalkeepers at Arsenal’s disposal but he needs more playing time.

If either Iliev or Huddart were to go on loan in January then it would help Keto’s cause immensely but the latter could be forgiven for being rather frustrated with his situation.

Meanwhile, Joao Virginia continues to perform regularly for the U18s and has also been involved with the U23 squad.

The Portuguese youngster has produced some impressive displays and seems to have the potential required to eventually challenge for a place in the first-team squad.

Virginia needs to be given time to develop, though, and will still be eligible to feature for the U18s next season as an overage player.

Alex Crean is in his second season at Arsenal but hasn’t featured at all so far this campaign due to injury. It is hoped that he will be able to return for the U18s soon.

First-year scholar Daniel Barden has also endured injury problems but he is now back available and will look to gain some experience at U18 level.

Schoolboy goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has made quite an impact this season as he has trained with the first-team, played for the U18s and also broken into the England U17 squad. Big things are expected of the Hale End product, who is also eligible to represent Nigeria internationally.

Overall, Macey certainly seems the most likely to step up should a vacancy arise in the first-team goalkeeping department, while Huddart and Keto have seen their progress hampered by Iliev’s return from injury.

Virginia will be hopeful of eventually fulfilling his vast potential and there is also much excitement about Okonkwo’s progress, with Arsenal certainly very well stocked for young goalkeepers at present.