Mikel Arteta calls up ‘excellent’ academy defender to Arsenal training after Tomiyasu injury blow

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Arsenal have had several injury issues this season.

The Gunners were quite fortunate on that front in the 2023/24 campaign. Yes, they had some big misses like Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey last term, but they were in a good place for large parts.

However, things have been really difficult for Mikel Arteta since the start of this season, and more bad news came Arsenal’s way recently.

Takehiro Tomiyasu is said to have suffered another injury at Arsenal, and he is facing a spell on the sidelines again after making his first appearance of the season against Southampton before the international break.

Maldini Kacurri spotted in Arsenal training ahead of Bournemouth clash

Arsenal have several injury issues going into the game against Bournemouth.

The Cherries are not an easy side to face, especially away from home, and if multiple players are unavailable, things could get tricky.

The worst-case scenario for Arsenal is that 11 players could miss the Bournemouth clash. The likes of Ben White, Jurrien Timber, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Tomiyasu could all be unavailable.

Arsenal will need cover in those areas, which is perhaps why Arteta called up young Maldini Kacurri to first-team training on Thursday.

The 19-year-old made his senior debut against Bolton in the EFL Cup in September, playing the final 20 minutes of the game in the heart of the defence.

Kacurri, hailed as ‘excellent’ by U21s boss Mehmet Ali, did well at the Emirates that night, and he has a massive future ahead of him. If multiple defenders aren’t available, there’s a chance the teenager could make the squad against Bournemouth on Saturday.

That won’t be new for Kacurri, who has been included in the matchday squad on four occasions already this season.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Arsenal wonderkid Maldini Kacurri including age, height and stats

Five other youngsters spotted in Arsenal first-team training

Arsenal’s Academy has been producing hugely talented young players for years now.

Bukayo Saka is the biggest success story in recent seasons, and there are many more who are looking to emulate the 23-year-old England international at the Emirates.

In training on Thursday, Kacurri was joined by five other youngsters as Arteta put his players through the paces for the game against Bournemouth.

Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly were two of them and they have been involved with the senior side for almost all of this season.

The other three are Ismail Kabia, Josh Robinson and Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand.