Arsenal Boss Mikel Arteta Calls Up Three Academy Stars for Pre-Season Tour
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has made an interesting decision for the club’s pre-season tour, calling up three academy stars to join the first team. The Gunners are currently in Germany, preparing for their opening friendly match against FC Nuremberg.
The three youngsters who have been called up are Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Reuell Walters. Arteta may choose to field all three of them in the match against Nuremberg, as several international stars are yet to return from their summer break.
Among the three, Nwaneri is the most well-known player. He has already made a name for himself in the Premier League. In fact, he became the youngest player in Premier League history when he featured against Brentford at the age of just 15 years and 181 days, surpassing Harvey Elliott’s record.
After the clash with Nuremberg, Arteta and his team will head to the United States to continue their preparations for the upcoming season. They will face tougher competition against an MLS All-Star team, followed by matches against Manchester United in New Jersey and Barcelona in Los Angeles.
The Gunners will then host French side Monaco in the Emirates Cup before kicking off the new season at home against Nottingham Forest on August 12. However, before that, Arteta’s team will have a showdown with Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley. This early encounter provides Arsenal with an opportunity to lay down a marker against the treble winners and set the tone for what could be another exciting title race between the two teams.
It remains to be seen what role the three academy prospects will play during pre-season. However, Nwaneri is the most likely candidate to accumulate minutes on the pitch, as he has already made his full debut for Arsenal last September. Despite recently signing a scholarship at the club, he is unable to sign a professional deal until he turns 17 in March.
Lewis-Skelly, a midfielder, has already appeared for both the U18 and U21 sides, showcasing his potential and talent. Walters, on the other hand, was part of the club’s pre-season tour last summer and was named on the bench multiple times throughout the season. This shows that Arteta has faith in these young players and believes they have what it takes to make an impact.
Arteta’s decision to include these academy stars in the pre-season tour highlights Arsenal’s commitment to nurturing young talent and giving them opportunities to prove themselves at the highest level. The club has a rich history of developing young players, and Arteta seems determined to continue this tradition.
As the Gunners gear up for the new season, it will be interesting to see how these young players perform and whether they can make a lasting impression on Arteta and his coaching staff. With the right guidance and support, they could become integral parts of the first team in the future.
In conclusion, Mikel Arteta’s decision to call up three academy stars for Arsenal’s pre-season tour demonstrates the club’s commitment to developing young talent. Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Reuell Walters have been given an opportunity to showcase their skills alongside the first team. As Arsenal prepares for the upcoming season, these young players have a chance to make their mark and potentially earn a place in the squad. Only time will tell if they can seize this opportunity and fulfill their potential.