Arsenal in talks with Hale End talent over new deal amid interest from PL rivals

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Arsenal are currently trying to secure the future of Reuell Walters.

According to The Standard, Arsenal have opened contract talks with Reuell Walters. The north London club are keen to tie the youngster down to fresh terms, as interest in his services from other Premier League sides and clubs elsewhere in Europe is mounting.

Walters is highly thought of at Arsenal. The 18-year-old defender is yet to make his senior debut for the Gunners, but has been named on the bench by Mikel Arteta on a number of occasions.

He has been part of the youth team setup at the Emirates Stadium since 2020, having previously spent time on the books with Tottenham Hotspur. The Gunners’ bitter local rivals may well have let a future star slip through their fingers.

Walters has consistently impressed at the Hale End academy with the maturity of his play. He is excellent on the ball, and boasts an impressive passing range. He is also a physically imposing player, able to dominate opponents and compete aerially. He has the skillset to slot in comfortably at right-back or in the heart of the back line. 

Arsenal must show willingness to keep Reuell Walters with actions as well as words

It would be a huge boost for Arsenal to keep Walters at the club. The Gunners must do all they can to retain the services of their most promising young starlets.

However, players such as Walters have to believe that a pathway to the first team exists for them at the club. Arteta must show a willingness to test Walters and his most talented academy colleagues at the highest level.

Seeing the likes of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah, and Reiss Nelson all now being a part of the first team squad will give Walters and his young teammates a cause for optimism.

Arteta has the perfect opportunity to hand Walters his debut coming up very soon. Arsenal will take on PSV Eindhoven in a Champions League clash on Tuesday. This is the final game of the group stage phase of the competition. The Gunners have already qualified for the knockout rounds of the tournament as group winners, meaning this match is something of a dead rubber for the English outfit.

This fixture is therefore a great chance for Arteta to rotate his regular starting XI and afford a much-needed rest to some key players. Walters will be hoping that this will open the door for him to make his senior debut for the club. Arsenal fans have made it clear they want to see the academy kids given a chance.