The under-21 European Championship kicks off this week, and Arsenal’s hierarchy should be closely observing the tournament for potential talent.
Ethan Nwaneri has been named in England’s squad for the competition, with the Hale End graduate expected to compete with the likes of Harvey Elliott and Jobe Bellingham for a place in Lee Carsley’s team.
Former Gunners star Omari Hutchinson is also in the Three Lions’ squad, although aside from that, there is little Arsenal influence in the competition.
That said, there are plenty of players competing who Arsenal have been linked with, and for good reason.
Here are five who the North Londoners could feasibly sign this summer, and how to watch them in action over the next few weeks.
Five players competing at the U21 Euros Arsenal could sign
Cristhian Mosquera – Spain
Arsenal want to sign a centre-back to provide cover and competition for William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
Cristhian Mosquera has been linked with a move to the Emirates, and the 20-year-old will have a chance to flaunt his attributes to Andrea Berta and Mikel Arteta in Slovakia this summer.
The Valencia centre-back has been called up by Spain to represent La Roja in the tournament, and he’s expected to start at the heart of Santi Denia’s team, alongside his club teammate Cesar Tarrega.
Composed on the ball and physically imposing at 6’2, Arteta will be keen to observe how the Spaniard deals with more direct attacks than he’s used to encountering in La Liga throughout this tournament.
- Slovakia vs Spain – 11 June – 5pm (BST) – 4Seven
- Spain vs Romania – 14 June – 5pm (BST) – 4Seven
- Spain vs Italy – 17 June – 8pm (BST) – 4Seven
Lucien Agoume – France
Another talented youngster impressing in La Liga, Sevilla’s Lucien Agoume will sit at the base of France’s midfield in Slovakia.
Arsenal were interested in signing Agoume last winter, and links have resurfaced in recent weeks amid reports that Thomas Partey is stalling on signing a new contract.
Boasting some of Partey’s ability in tight spaces, the big test for the 23-year-old will be whether he’ll be able to develop his passing skills to the level they’d need to be at for him to slot in at Arsenal.
The France under-21s will take on a talented Portugal side in the group stage, and this will be a stern challenge for Agoume, and will allow the on-watching Gunners scouts to ascertain a better understanding of his level in possession.
- Portugal vs France – 11 June – 8pm (BST) – 4Seven
- France vs Georgia – 14 June – 8pm (BST) – Channel 4 Sport YouTube
- France vs Poland – 17 June – 8pm (BST) – 4Seven
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Nick Woltemade – Germany
It’s well documented that Arsenal are in the market for a striker this summer.
Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade has been mooted as a potential target for the Gunners after enjoying an exceptional 2024/25 season, which saw him score 17 goals across all competitions.
The 23-year-old boasts an incredible technical level, while his raw physical attributes also make him an exciting proposition.
However, afforded large amounts of space to run into in the German top flight, Arteta and Berta will get a good look at how he deals with playing against a more compact low block in group games against Slovenia and Czech Republic.
- Germany vs Slovenia – 12 June – 8pm (BST) – 4Seven
- Czech Republic vs Germany – 15 June – 8pm (BST) – Channel 4 Sport YouTube
- England vs Germany – 18 June – 8pm (BST) – Channel 4
Jorrel Hato – Netherlands
Jorrel Hato has long been touted as a target for Arsenal, and the Gunners could yet move for him this summer to be their defensive reinforcement.
Arteta likes having players who can operate in multiple roles in the back-line, and Hato has spent time at both centre-back and left-back for Ajax.
Expected to marshal a Dutch defence that will include Aston Villa’s Ian Maatsen and PSV Eindhoven’s Ryan Flamingo, Hato could be one of the stars of the tournament and will undoubtedly be one of those whose performances several clubs will monitor.
Arsenal will be among those taking note of everything he does, and if he impresses, it could prompt the Gunners to make their move.
- Finland vs Netherlands – 12 June – 8pm (BST) – Channel 4 Sport YouTube
- Netherlands vs Denmark – 15 June – 8pm (BST) – 4Seven
- Netherlands vs Ukraine – 18 June – 5pm (BST) – 4Seven
Roger Fernandes – Portugal
Enjoying an impressive season for Braga in the Primeira Liga, several top clubs throughout Europe are keeping tabs on 19-year-old Roger Fernandes.
A creative winger who works exceptionally hard off the ball, Fernandes has been loosely linked with Arsenal, and would certainly fit the Arteta remit with his defensive output.
He’s yet to make his debut for Portugal’s under-21s, and is thus something of a wild card suggestion, but his form at the backend of the 2024/25 campaign for Braga could mean he’s thrown into Rui Jorge’s side over a more established option like Chelsea-bound Geovany Quenda or Wolfsburg’s Tiago Tomas.
The level he’ll face against some of the better sides in this competition will be higher than that of the Portuguese top flight, giving Arteta the perfect scouting opportunity.
- Portugal vs France – 11 June – 8pm (BST) – 4Seven
- Portugal vs Poland – 14 June – 8pm (BST) – 4Seven
- Georgia vs Portugal – 17 June – 5pm (BST) – Channel 4 Sport YouTube
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