Mikel Arteta has promoted 19-year-old Arsenal talent Miguel Azeez to first-team training, after Thomas Partey was ruled out with a groin injury. The Gunners take on Brighton at The Emirates on Saturday afternoon.
Young talent Azeez made his Arsenal debut under Arteta last season with the Gunners in the Europa League – but is yet to get his second outing. He went on loan to Portsmouth during the first half of the current campaign.
It comes after playing just 10 times for Pompey. He has returned to the Gunners, playing for the Under-23’s. In his nine Premier League 2 outings, the London-born talent has scored two goals and laid on an assist.
With Partey ruled out, Arsenal posted a behind-the-scenes video on Twitter of their training session ahead of Saturday and Azeez is spotted. All Nigeria Soccer report that he has indeed, been promoted to training by Arteta.
Azeez promoted: Arsenal star could be on the bench against Brighton
In midfield on Saturday, it is likely that Albert Sambi Lokonga comes into the side alongside Granit Xhaka, behind Martin Odegaard. Arteta could drop Odegaard alongside Xhaka and start Smith-Rowe as a 10, too.
But the chances are that given Arsenal and other Premier League clubs can name nine substitutes, Azeez is likely to take a place on the bench with Lokonga starting. Mo Elneny is also an option, an unused sub at Palace.
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