Arteta hands Jack Henry-Francis opportunity with Arsenal first team

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Jack Henry-Francis is currently training with the Arsenal first team squad.

Mikel Arteta has called up academy ace Jack Henry-Francis to train with the first team squad ahead of the north London club’s Champions League clash with French side Lens on Tuesday evening.

This is a huge opportunity for the 20-year-old midfielder to impress Arteta and push for a greater level of involvement with the senior group.

Arteta has shown in recent weeks that he is willing to take a chance on giving game time to Hale End academy players, as he handed Charles Sagoe Jr his first team debut in the EFL Cup clash with Brentford.

Henry-Francis may not get on the pitch against Lens, but at this stage in his career he ought to be pushing for involvement as senior level.

Henry-Francis facing a mammoth task

An “aggressive and tenacious” presence in the middle of the park, Henry-Francis can be relied upon to put a shift in if Arteta opts to call on him. 

In the meantime, the under-21s stalwart will be doing all he can to impress in training and prove that he is ready to mix it with the big boys.

There may well be a pathway to the first team in place for Henry-Francis. With Jorginho, Thomas Partey, and Mohamed Elneny all in the twilight years of their career, there could be an opportunity for the Republic of Ireland youth international to play a back up role to Declan Rice next season.

However, given how demanding Arteta is and the fact that Arsenal are now once again aiming to compete for major trophies, and are willing to spend big on player upgrades, Henry-Francis faces a huge task if he is to forge a career for himself as a first team player at the Emirates Stadium.