Arsenal are training without a number of star men at the moment, with the international break upon us.
The likes of Kieran Tierney, Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard have been away on international duty, but Mikel Arteta has still had training to take.
This means that a number of young players have been added to first-team training this week, bolstering Arsenal’s numbers in training.
Today, a whopping nine youngsters were spotted in training; Tolaji Bola, George Lewis, Trae Coyle, Catalin Cirjan, Tim Akinola, Joel Lopez, Ryan Alebiosu, Alex Kirk and Tom Smith.
Bola is a left back much like namesake Marc Bola in his time at Arsenal, but the pair aren’t related. Tolaji spent time on loan Rochdale earlier this season, and is yet to really break through at Arsenal despite now being 22.
Lewis joined Arsenal from Norwegian side Fram Larvik, and has bagged one assist in eight Premier League 2 games. Tipped as ‘outstanding’ by former coach Jonathan Hill, the winger was a surprise signing but will hope to break through.
Coyle has played as a right winger and spent the first half of the season at Gillingham, with Mikel Arteta now having a closer look at the 20-year-old.
Playmaker Cirjan has sparked real excitement with his displays this season, whilst midfielder Akinola was snapped up from Huddersfield Town last summer.
Centre back Kirk is only 18, but he currently captains Arsenal’s Under-18’s, whilst 19-year-old goalkeeper Smith is back at Arsenal after a loan spell at Dover Athletic.
Alebiosu is predominantly a right back with 17 Premier League 2 appearances to his name this season, and Lopez is a left back snapped up from Barcelona in 2018, earning comparisons to Hector Bellerin in the process.
With Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe excelling in Arsenal’s first team, there is plenty of inspiration for Gunners youngsters.
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