It’s Arsenal vs Lyon in the Dubai Super Cup this afternoon, and a number of our exciting young players could get a chance to shine.
Mikel Arteta has named a 27-man squad for the trip to the UAE. Almost all the players are expected to play some part in our two games there, and here are five wonderkids who could get the nod from the Arsenal boss today.
Six Arsenal gems Arteta could unleash vs Lyon today
Catalin Cirjan
Cirjan, who turned 20 just last week, has been one of our finest talents for a few years now.
Injuries have been really cruel to him, which is why he’s yet to get an opportunity in the first team. But, he has been fully fit for a while now, and we expect him to play some part in the game against Lyon this afternoon.
Ethan Nwaneri
The 15-year-old made his senior debut for Arsenal earlier this season, and he’s a brilliant young player.
Arteta already knows how good he is having given him an opportunity in the Premier League this term. It won’t be a surprise at all if he comes on in the second half in Dubai later today.
Reuell Walters
The young defender was given an opportunity in pre-season and he really caught the eye.
Walters will turn 18 in eight days’ time, and what better way to give himself an early birthday present than by making a mark in the first team against solid opposition.
The youngster can play as a centre-half as well as a right-back. With Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu both unavailable, it won’t be a surprise to see him come on for Cedric at some point in the game at full-back.
Myles Lewis-Skelly
The second-youngest player in our squad at the moment, 16-year-old Lewis-Skelly played a part in Arsenal’s 4-2 defeat to Watford at London Colney a few days ago.
The youngster, a central midfielder by trade, will provide options in the middle of the park for Arteta, who will be without both Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka.
Charles Sagoe Jr
Charles Jr was Arsenal U21s’ main man last season, scoring 10 goals. The teenager has scored four times this term as well, playing mostly off the left flank.
A two-footed player, Charles Jr can play on either wing and as an attacking midfielder. That will give Arteta plenty of options when we take on Lyon this afternoon.
Lino Sousa
Another player who’s yet to turn 18, Sousa is a gem. The left-back is as adventurous as they come, and he’s never afraid to take the ball and express himself in the final third.
Arsenal do have both Kieran Tierney and Oleksandr Zincheno available for the game today, but Sousa is just such an exciting talent, and we have a feeling he’ll play some part in Dubai.
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