Arsenal have been producing fantastic young talents every year.
Hale End has always been brilliant in that regard, but in recent seasons, the Gunners’ academy has been better than that of any other club in England.
Bukayo Saka was the biggest star to come out of the Arsenal youth setup in 2018, but since then, the likes of Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and most recently, Max Dowman, have all come through.
Now, Arsenal think another gem has emerged – Marli Salmon.
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Arsenal think Marli Salmon is their ‘next young star after Max Dowman’
Salmon made his debut for Arsenal against Club Brugge in the Champions League.
The teenager is only the third player in the competition’s history to make an appearance at the age of 16 or younger. The other two were from Arsenal as well – Jack Wilshere and Dowman.
Arsenal have a number of issues with their defence. William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Cristhian Mosquera, and Jurrien Timber all missed the game due to injury. It was so bad that Christian Norgaard had to start as a centre-half.
Salmon was named on the bench as a result, and he got an opportunity late in the second half, replacing Ben White at right-back.
Now, the Daily Mail have revealed that Arsenal think Salmon is ‘their next young star after Dowman’.
Still only 16, the youngster’s rise has been rapid, and it has been claimed that Arsenal view him as a valuable commodity.
The fact that Mikel Arteta was brave enough to use him in the Champions League shows just how much he believes in Salmon.
He is the future of the club!
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Arsenal already have a plan for Marli Salmon
Arteta confirmed that Salmon can play in two positions at Arsenal – centre-half and right-back.
That sort of versatility will come in handy, but the Gunners don’t plan on promoting him to the first team anytime soon.
The report claims that Arsenal have decided to use the Saliba strategy for Salmon, which means he will be sent out on loan a few times in the coming years.
Such spells helped the Frenchman become one of the best defenders in the world, and the hope is that Salmon will follow in his footsteps.
It remains to be seen when Arsenal will decide to loan him out for the first time and to which club.
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