Arsenal travelled to Scotland earlier today for a five-day camp and talented young defender Omar Rekik has been given the nod by Mikel Arteta to be a part of the senior squad for the pre-season tour.
The Gunners will play two games up north, one against Hibernian tomorrow, followed by another one at Ibrox against Scottish champions Rangers on Saturday.
Most of the first-team squad have made the trip, but there are a few exciting youngsters to keep an eye on as well. One such player is Rekik, who joined the club from Hertha Berlin back in January this year.
Per Mertesacker brought Omar Rekik to Arsenal
BILD reported six months ago that the Gunners pushed really hard to sign the teenager because of academy boss Per Mertesacker’s recommendation. The report claimed that the BFG led negotiations to bring Rekik in, and he could soon make his non-competitive Arsenal debut.
Arteta admitted that Arsenal watched Rekik closely in action for Hertha for a long time before we signed him. He called the defender a ‘young talent’ who has a ‘really bright future’ ahead of him, hopefully in Arsenal’s colours. (Read here)
Rekik posted an Instagram video of himself on the plane to Scotland sitting beside Arsenal vice-captain Hector Bellerin. The youngster may not start either of the two games, but there’s a good chance he will play some part, and it will be interesting to see how he fares.
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After the two games in Scotland, Arsenal are scheduled to travel to the United States to take part in the Florida Cup. We will face Inter Milan and one of Everton or Millonarios there before heading back to London to face Tottenham and Chelsea in the Mind Series charity games.
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