Arsenal’s academy graduates Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri will have some not-so-fond memories of one Club Brugge player.
The two Hale End products will hope to feature when Arsenal travel to Club Brugge in the Champions League.
Given that Nwaneri could go on loan in January, the 18-year-old will be desperate to impress not only Mikel Arteta but also potential suitors.
For Lewis-Skelly, earning minutes is the priority, as the defender has slipped down the pecking order, but is his biggest test yet to come?
What should Arsenal’s front three be vs Club Brugge?
How heavily do you want Mikel Arteta to rotate? Let us know the front three you’d like to see against Club Brugge.
Club Brugge star Carlos Forbs punished Arsenal’s academy
Club Brugge have been struggling immensely this season, but one of their shining lights is a player Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri are aware of.
Former Manchester City academy ace Carlos Forbs has been impressive this term, contributing to 10 goals so far.
It’s not, however, the versatile winger’s current form that might unnerve Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly, as the three players crossed paths at academy level.
Described as ‘exceptional’ in Man City’s academy by former coach Brian Barry-Murphy, Forbs contributed to 47 goals in the 2022/23 season, four of his tally coming against Arsenal.
In May 2023, Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly came up against Forbs, losing 3-0 to Man City at U21 level, with the winger scoring and assisting.
There’s a good chance that the Arsenal academy pair will have some pointers for Arteta ahead of going head-to-head with the Portuguese again.
Shock change for Club Brugge ahead of facing Arsenal
Aside from Forbs, there’s something else for Arsenal to be wary of, and that’s that Club Brugge have just sacked their manager.
Club Brugge have sacked their manager, is a new manager bounce on the horizon? 🫣
Club Brugge sacked Nicky Hayen two days before facing Arsenal! 😳
Two days before the match, Nicky Hayen was dismissed, seeing Ivan Leko replace him, the former manager of Genk.
It’s a huge change ahead of the Champions League duel, with the concept of a ‘new manager bounce’ already flying around.
For Arteta and Arsenal, it will be business as usual, as the Gunners’ only focus will be to earn another three points.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
