Michelle Agyemang: The rise of Arsenal's latest academy star set to become the Lionesses No.9 of the future

Arsenal seem to have a knack for producing centre-backs. England icons Anita Asante and Casey Stoney both spent time in the club’s academy, with Leah Williamson, the current Lionesses captain, and Lotte Wubben-Moy, part of the team that won the European Championship in 2022 and reached the 2023 Women’s World Cup final, currently strong ambassadors for the youth set-up in the Gunners’ first team. In a parallel universe, perhaps Michelle Agyemang, the relentless 19-year-old goal-machine representing the club on the women's NXGN 2025 list, is aiming to be next up on that production line.

However, while it was in the heart of defence that the England youth international found herself when she first started to kick a ball around as a little girl, it wouldn’t stick, even if she still enjoys playing there occasionally in training. “Defending can be fun sometimes,” she laughed. “Sometimes!”

Instead, Agyemang has blossomed into one of the most exciting teenage strikers on the planet. Her reputation had grown steadily through exploits in England’s youth national teams and loan spells with Watford and, currently, Brighton, before she announced herself on the international stage in the most explosive fashion on Tuesday night.

Just 41 seconds after coming off the bench for her Lionesses debut, the teenager controlled Leah Williamson's cross perfectly before powering a volley into the top corner. After several years of simmering hype, it was a moment which saw Agyemang introduce herself to a wider audience and really show why those who have tracked her progress closely believe she is England's next great No.9.