Unai Emery now set to poach ‘outstanding’ Arsenal talent before Thursday’s deadline

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Arsenal have several young prospects on the verge of a first-team breakthrough, but have just lost one in a surprise move.

Defender Lino Sousa, who joined Arsenal from West Bromwich Albion’s academy in 2022, has now completed a sudden transfer to Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.

Sousa, 19, was named on the bench by Mikel Arteta on several occasions, in both the Premier League and Europa League, but failed to make a single appearance for the senior side.

Fabrizio Romano revealed the surprising news, which will see the left-back move to Villa Park on a permanent deal.

Arsenal sell Lino Sousa to Aston Villa

Romano revealed that Villa are set to complete the signing, and that the teenager could then head out on loan before Thursday’s transfer deadline.

“Aston Villa agree deal to sign Lino Sousa from Arsenal on permanent move, here we go!” he posted on X.

“Agreement in place for 2005 born fullback who’s set to complete medical in the next hours. Rangers, Galatasaray and Juve were keen but Sousa set to join Aston Villa.”

He later revealed that “talks with Plymouth already took place, waiting for Villa decision,” with regard to a loan deal.

Losing Lino Sousa is a bad look for Arsenal

Arsenal are currently short of depth at fullback, and Arteta has bemoaned his lack of options, despite him choosing to loan out Kieran Tierney after Jurrien Timber picked up an injury.

Jakub Kiwior has been forced to play out of position on the flanks at times, with Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Timber all picking up injuries during this campaign.

Despite the injuries and lack of depth in Sousa’s position, he could not get a look-in, and this proved fatal for his chances of success at Arsenal this season.

With fellow Hale End star Amario Cozier-Duberry now being targeted by several clubs including Newcastle, Arsenal face a problem as their top talents may push for moves in order to gain more first-team opportunities.

Sousa was described as “outstanding” by former youth coach Kevin Betsy, and he was highly rated within the club, but had no path to action and there was no talk of a loan move away in the January transfer window before this move suddenly materialised.

If Sousa goes on to become a success under Emery, then it will raise questions about how Arsenal could have found internal solutions to their depth problems, but wasted this opportunity.