Ethan Nwaneri and two other Arsenal youngsters now set to join Arteta’s squad on USA tour

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Arsenal are set to travel to the USA on pre-season tour in the coming days, and with some players still missing, there are opportunities for several academy stars.

Mikel Arteta will have a lot of his core squad available including Gabriel Jesus and Jurrien Timber, but he will be without several of his Euro 2024 stars, with Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka starting in the final of the tournament.

Arteta has been criticised for failing to give academy stars more opportunities, with Reuell Walters leaving as a result, but he is now set to hand chances to a few players in the USA tour.

Three youngsters look set to be included in the travelling squad, and more could even join them ahead of their trip on July 21st.

Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ayden Heaven to travel in Arsenal pre-season tour

The Athletic have now reported that Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ayden Heaven could all travel to the USA with the first-team.

Nwaneri is the most promising talent in the academy, and Arteta has given him two substitute appearances in the Premier League.

The midfielder shone in Arsenal under-21s pre-season victory at Boreham Wood, with it now clear that the 17-year-old is simply too good for youth football, and deserves senior opportunities.

His midfield partner Lewis-Skelly has also stood out at youth level, and in the absence of Rice, both will be hoping for game time in the USA tour.

Heaven is not as well known amongst fans as these two, but the 17-year-old centre-back is regarded as a big talent given his physical profile, and he could be given an opportunity if Jakub Kiwior does not travel amid uncertainty over a deal to sign Riccardo Calafiori.

Arsenal youngsters deserve pre-season opportunities

Arsenal’s best academy talents deserve chances in pre-season. Several key stars are missing and these matches are risk-free ways to integrate them into senior football without putting results at risk in high-pressure games.

Nwaneri in particular deserves to start at least one game against Premier League opposition on tour, and if he can prove that he is ready for this level, he could maintain his place in the side once the season begins.