Arsenal’s Hale End star ‘levels above his age’ called up for international duty

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal’s investment in their academy is reaping the rewards this season with three Hale End stars playing huge roles for the first-team.

Spain’s media waxed lyrical over Bukayo Saka after his performance in the 3-0 win over Real Madrid and the winger has returned from injury looking better than ever.

The emergence of Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly has been a real highlight for the Gunners and at times, Mikel Arteta has had to rely on the duo more than he would have wanted at their tender ages.

Max Dowman has a first-team path as the club look to nurture their latest Hale End talent through the right way and another academy player making waves has just received a call up to England’s U16 squad.

READ MORE: £67m Arsenal striker target scores a stunner and then copies Thierry Henry’s iconic celebration

Arsenal’s Marli Salmon called up for England U16 squad

Marli Salmon has impressed Arsenal fans this season with his performances for both the U18 side in the FA Youth Cup and the U21 side, despite being just 15 years old.

‘Levels above his age’ is how one Arsenal fan described the youngster against Manchester United in the Youth Cup semi final defeat and Salmon has his reward with a call up to England’s U16 squad.

Salmon will be involved in the Montaigu Tournament where he will come up against Japan, Mexico and Portugal and possibly beyond depending on how well England do.

It means that Salmon may miss Arsenal U21’s clash with West Brom and the start of the Premier League 2 play offs in a blow to the Gunners youth side.

Josiah King also receives England U16 call up

Josiah King, who recently made his debut for Arsenal’s U18 side has also received a call up for the squad and could play at right back alongside Salmon in the England side.

King looked strong and composed on the ball in his recent U18 debut in the 5-3 victory over Leicester, where Dowman was ‘fantastic’ in scoring a hat trick during the clash.

Arteta will be keeping a close eye on the academy duo whilst away on international duty as he looks to see how they cope in different environments and on the world stage at youth level.

Gunners fans harbour hopes that Dowman or Salmon or even both could feature in the not too distant future in the Arsenal first-team having both training with the squad recently.