‘Outstanding’ Arsenal 17-year-old has travelled with first-team squad for Zurich clash

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Lino Sousa has travelled with Arsenal as the Gunners prepare to take on Zurich in the Europa League this evening.

Mikel Arteta takes his side to Switzerland today as Arsenal open up their Europa League group stage campaign.

It has been a busy period for Arsenal and the introduction of European games is only going to add to the workload.

Arteta may therefore choose to rotate some of his team this evening, with the likes of Eddie Nketiah, Kieran Tierney and Matt Turner no doubt desperate to feature.

There could be chances for youngsters too, and one 17-year-old is making the trip to Zurich.

Lino Sousa has travelled with Arsenal

The Athletic report that teenager Lino Sousa has been included in the Arsenal squad for this evening’s clash.

Sousa is also understood to have trained with Arsenal’s first team on Wednesday as Arteta and co prepare to face Zurich.

However, it is added that Sousa may only be travelling for experience and it’s unclear whether he will be on the bench or not.

Sousa, 17, joined Arsenal from West Bromwich Albion in January earlier this year having shown major potential in the Baggies ranks.

Hailed as ‘outstanding’ by Kevin Betsy, Sousa has made a big impact at Arsenal since his arrival earlier this year.

Two goals and one assist in just 10 Under-21 games is a very exciting record for Sousa, who predominantly plays as a left back.

Oleksandr Zinchenko was a fitness doubt at Manchester United and it may be wise to give him the night off tonight.

That would propel Tierney into the starting lineup and Sousa may be available as cover for the Scot if needed.

It’s at least exciting to hear that Sousa is involved in the first-team preparations, with Arteta seemingly seeing real potential in the teenager.

UPDATE: Sousa travelling to Zurich left some wondering whether there was a mistake in UEFA’s squad list.

Sousa was not included in Arsenal’s squad there, and it turns out that Sousa isn’t on the bench to face Zurich despite only naming 11 substitutes.

That likely means that UEFA’s squad list was indeed correct all along, and that Sousa had just travelled to gain experience around big-match preparations.