Arsenal start pre-season this Friday as the Gunners travel to Germany to face 2. Bundesliga side FC Nurnberg, with excitement over the summer fixtures at an all-time high.
With new signing Gabriel Jesus part of the travelling squad, Arsenal have brought a strong side with them to Bavaria to face the second-tier German side, with fellow summer arrival Matt Turner also making the trip.
As well as a strong senior squad, Mikel Arteta has decided to bring some of the youngsters from the U-23s over to Germany to face Nurnberg, where many expect Arsenal fans will get their first glimpse of some of the next generation.
Indeed, following the immense success of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah, Arsenal’s academy has never produced better prospects, and here are five players who fans should be keeping an eye on this pre-season ahead of the Nurnberg clash.
Marquinhos
One of Arsenal’s other recruits this summer, Marquinhos was signed earlier in the window from Sao Paulo for a reported £2.5m, with Edu Gaspar once again leading the charge to sign the talented Brazilian teenager.
Regarded as one of the top talents from the South American powerhouses, Marquinhos will be a player many Arsenal fans have never seen before, and supporters will likely see the winger for the first time this week in Germany against Nurnberg, with Edu seemingly eager to replicate his success with Gabriel Martinelli.
Charlie Patino
A talent who stole headlines last season, Charlie Patino made his Arsenal debut last season and scored within minutes of coming off the bench, with the England youth international the most likely candidate to fully break into the seniors this campaign from the U-23s.
Silky on the ball with a killer pass and keen eye for goal, Patino has drawn comparisons to Jack Wilshere for all the right reasons, and the 18-year-old midfielder will likely feature heavily for Arsenal during pre-season this summer ahead of what is to be a big year for the teenager.
Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand
Patino might be the next star out from Hale End, but coaches and fans are really excited to see how Dutch youth international Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand develops next season, with the midfielder regarded as a ‘special’ talent by Gunners talent spotter Yousuf Sajjad.
An elegant dribbler who can play in numerous positions, Salah was one of Arsenal’s best players for the U-23s last season, and just like Patino, the teenager is expected to integrate himself into the seniors for the new campaign, with this summer a huge chance for the midfielder to impress supporters and Arteta.
Lino Sousa
Signed from West Bromwich Albion in the January transfer window, Lino Sousa has already impressed many at Arsenal in just six months in north London, with the defender set to play a huge role in the U-23s for next season and feature this summer in pre-season for the Gunners.
An athletic fullback with Brazilian heritage, Sousa was tipped in the latter stages of last campaign to replace Nuno Tavares at left-back following Kieran Tierney’s season-ending injury, and the defender could make strides to becoming this player in pre-season should the 17-year-old impress.
Reuell Walters
Reuell Walters might have been part of Tottenham’s academy set-up, by the right-back is well on his way to one day becoming a regular for Arsenal in the first team, with the 17-year-old recently signing his first professional contract with the club.
The teenager was a regular for the U-23s last season, and with Brooke Norton-Cuffy likely to head out on loan once again, there’s a chance that Walters could feature for Arsenal’s seniors next season in either the League Cup or UEFA Europa League.
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