Mikel Arteta says Marli Salmon can actually play in two positions after his Champions League debut

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Marli Salmon made his Arsenal debut in the Champions League against Club Brugge.

The Gunners have the best academy in England. Hale End keeps producing one incredible young player after another, and they are showing no signs of stopping.

After the emergence of Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Max Dowman, young Salmon got his opportunity, and Arsenal have high hopes for him.

Could this be Arsenal’s starting XI in 10 years?

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Mikel Arteta says Arsenal wonderkid Marli Salmon can play in two positions

Marli Salmon has been a popular name among Arsenal fans for over a year now, even though he never played for the first team.

The teenager, now 16, has produced several incredible performances for the academy sides and has impressed everyone who has watched him.

Many supporters compared Salmon to William Saliba because of his composure on the ball, ability in duels, and his whole demeanour.

However, against Club Brugge on Wednesday night, Arteta brought Salmon on at right-back, in place of Ben White.

After the game, the Arsenal manager confirmed that he can play in both positions.

He said, as per Arsenal.com: “Well, the thought (of using Salmon) was from yesterday.

“The fact that we had to play Christian [Norgaard] as well, we had to really consider it because we were playing a really good side that had some really good results in the Champions League at home.

“We knew that at some point we had to use him. So, he was ready, he was prepared, he can play as a centre-back or as a full-back, and I’m delighted. He’s so young, 16 still, and he’s playing in the Champions League. So yeah, what a great night for him as well.”

Arsenal should use the William Saliba strategy to help Marli Salmon become a star

Salmon is still only 16 years old.

The teenager has a long way to go before he can become a part of the Arsenal first team, where Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie are all well settled.

Arteta should allow Salmon to develop in the academy over the next two years, with occasional appearances in the first team.

Then, the Gunners should send him out on loan – just like they did with Saliba – in order to get him playing regularly at the highest level.

That would help Salmon follow in Saliba’s footsteps and become one of the best centre-backs in the world by the time he turns 23 or 24.