Arsenal’s Under-21’s were in action this evening as they took on League One side Gillingham in the Football League Trophy group stage.
The Gunners saw Calum Chambers return from injury, but much of the focus was on defender William Saliba as he made a start.
Saliba hasn’t really featured in the first team since starting his Arsenal career over the summer, and fans have been hoping to see him feature for Mikel Arteta soon.
Saliba played a part in Arsenal’s opening goal, threading a nice pass in the build-up to Catalin Cirjan making it 1-0 to the Gunners.
Trae Coyle – who is actually on loan from Arsenal – equalised for the Gills, sending the game to penalties, which Arsenal won 4-2.
The attention may have been on Saliba, but midfielder Cirjan stole the show with a goal and a fine performance throughout.
Cirjan, 17, signed professional terms last December, and has been considered a hot prospect at Arsenal since signing from Viitorul Domnesti in 2019.
Fans have taken to Twitter to hail Cirjan despite the focus being on Saliba, suggesting that he played ‘really well’ and ‘looks like such a baller’.
Others called him ‘really promising’ and ‘class’, even claiming that he is ‘destined for greatness’ after another strong display.
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