Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been running the rule over a host of U18s prospects during the international break with Jimi Gower, Bradley Ibrahim and former Manchester City starlet Henry Timi Davies given a chance, as reported by Jeorge Bird.
Two-and-a-half years ago, no-one outside north London had heard of Bukayo Saka.
Emile Smith Rowe, meanwhile, had just returned to the English capital on the back of a highly unsuccessful, confidence-sapping loan spell at RB Leipzig.
Flash forward to November 2021 and, these days, Saka and Smith Rowe are two of the first names on Arteta’s team sheet, wearing the numbers seven and ten proudly on their backs.
And it’s understood the London-born duo will both feature – perhaps from the start – as Gareth Southgate’s England wind down their World Cup qualifying campaign at San Marino tonight.
The likes of Gower, Ibrahim and Davies, then, shouldn’t be short of inspiration as they look to follow in the footsteps of Saka and Smith Rowe at Hale End.
If you’re good enough, you’re old enough as far as Arteta is concerned.
Who’s the most exciting prospect in Arsenal U18s?
According to the reliable Jeorge Bird website, Gower, Ibrahim and Davies have all been drafted into first-team training during the November international break.
As has 16-year-old Kaleel Green, who joined Arsenal from Southampton in April, one-time Chelsea prospect Amani Richards, and goalkeeper Alex Kovacevic.
There was also a place for England U18 international Josh Robinson and left-back Tino Quamina.
All Nigeria Soccer reports 16-year-old Davies signed a scholarship with Arsenal in the summer, turning down the chance to move to London rivals Chelsea along the way.
Gower, meanwhile, is the son of former Swansea City midfielder Mark Gower and, if his introductory interview with Arsenal’s official website is anything to go by, a thoroughly likeable character.
“It was only when Swansea got into the Premier League I can remember some of dad’s games, otherwise anything before that is all a bit of a blur,” Gower recalls.
“At that age, though, the coolest thing was collecting my dad as a Match Attax card and showing all my friends. Or picking him in a computer game for the first time.
“I remember playing with my mates on career mode and we always used to sign my dad and try to get him to win the Champions League!”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
