Mikel Arteta has named Arsenal academy prospect Reuell Walters in their squad for a Champions League fixture at PSV Eindhoven. So, here is everything you need to know.
The Gunners travel to the Netherlands this Tuesday night for a dead-rubber contest. Arsenal have already taken the top spot in Group B and PSV cannot be caught as the runners-up. So, Arteta is likely to use the trip as a chance to test their rising stars with Walters a frontrunner.
Walters is one of a handful of Arsenal academy prospects to make their trip to PSV with Lino Sousa and Ethan Nwaneri. The defender would also be making his senior debut if he were to feature in the Champions League tie. He has only featured sparingly on Arteta’s bench so far.
Reports by the Evening Standard add that Walters is pushing to make his first-team debut as Arsenal visit PSV Eindhoven. He views the dead-rubber contest as an ideal chance to display his potential on the senior stage to Arteta with the Gunners certain to finish Group B in first.
Arteta is likely to rotate his line-up at the Philips Stadion, as well, to heighten the chances of Walters getting his first-team debut when Arsenal visit PSV Eindhoven. So, with that in mind, here is everything you need to know about the rising star of the Gunners’ academy set-up…
Who is Reuell Walters?
Reuell Walters is a member of Arsenal’s academy after joining the Gunners’ youth ranks in October 2020. He is currently a part of the north London club’s Under-21 set-up. While the Emirates Stadium outfit gave the youngster his first professional contract in February 2022.
Arsenal’s arch-rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, actually had first dibs at Walters. He was a part of Spurs’ academy system earlier on in his formative days after joining them in 2015. But they had to let the defender leave in 2019 before Walters took a break from football until 2020.
Returning to the sport with Arsenal’s famed academy set-up at Hale End has seen Walters’ career reach new heights. Walters made his debut for England U18s under boss Ryan Garry in November 2021. While Simon Rusk handed Walters his England U19 bow in March 2023.
Walters enjoyed five appearances for England’s U18 side, including four starts, before Rusk ushered him into the U19s. The teenager made his U19 debut in a European Championship qualifier against Hungary. He has since recorded further outings against Iceland and Turkey.
Where and when was Reuell Walters born?
Reuell Walters was born in Lambeth, a London borough in south London, on December 16, 2004. His parents are Raphael and Aisha, who is a former British gymnastics champion and now coaches gymnastics. The pair also home-schooled Walters at their home in Streatham.
What position does Reuell Walters play?
Reuell Walters can play in a number of positions but the Arsenal gem is most accustomed to playing at right-back. Coaches have also utilised his versatility to play on the right-hand side of a back-three. While his attacking mindset can allow Walters to play wider in the midfield.
How good is Reuell Walters?
Reuell Walters attracted interest from a number of clubs before the defender signed his first scholarship contract with Arsenal. A report by The Athletic in April 2023 noted how Chelsea had tried to tempt the defender to join their academy before he committed to Tottenham’s.
Fulham, Manchester United, West Ham United and Manchester City also all phoned Walters in July 2019 following the expiration of his contract at Tottenham. But he opted to accept an offer from the Red Devils for a six-to-eight-week trial and immediately began playing games.
Manchester United also offered Walters a place in their MANNUS programme, aimed at the players the club believe have a greater chance of reaching the first-team. But the switch fell through as the Premier League refused to register him as United were already at their limit.
Walters’ chance to join Manchester United then fell through altogether after deciding they had more pressing positions of need. While the outbreak of Covid-19 and the curtailment of academy football in 2020 scuppered plans for Walters to join Charlton Athletic temporarily.
Reuell Walters has earnt praise from Arsenal’s coaches and players
Now, Arsenal have one of England’s rising talents on their hands and Walters is also leaving a positive impression on Arteta and his coaching staff. A video the Gunners shared from their 2023 training camp in Germany showed Walters earning praise during a small-sided game.
One of Arteta’s coaches can be heard in the video Arsenal posted on YouTube shouting ‘Well done Reu!’ The defender merited praise after using his quick feet to avoid losing possession under duress from Kai Havertz and Reiss Nelson following a one-two with Gabriel Martinelli.
Ukraine hero Oleksandr Zinchenko also voiced his praise for Walters in August 2023 after he outmuscled Gabriel Jesus during training at London Colney to the left-back’s astonishment. So much so that Zinchenko named Walters as Arsenal’s most impressive academy prospect.
“I like so much centre-back, Reuell,” Zinchenko told Rio Ferdinand on his YouTube channel. “I think the qualities he has, he is aggressive.
“I swear to God, one time he pushed Gabriel Jesus in a shoulder-to-shoulder. It is not easy to push Gabriel because he is very strong and he was confident on the ball afterwards. He kept the ball well and passed. Wow. He impresses me I think the most.”
Reuell Walters’ stats at Arsenal
Reuell Walters has made a raft of appearances for Arsenal’s academy sides but Mikel Arteta would be handing the defender his senior debut if he were to face PSV Eindhoven. The boss has also only named Walters in 13 first-team squads prior to the Champions League contest.
Under-18, Arsenal: 20 appearances, 0 goals, 2 assists
Under-19, Arsenal: 5 appearances, 1 goal, 0 assists
Under-21, Arsenal: 47 appearances, 0 goals, 2 assists
First-team, Arsenal: 0 appearances, 0 goals, 0 assists
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