Arsenal are hoping to bring through more and more young talent, with Mikel Arteta now taking a close look at teenager Mauro Bandeira.
The Gunners are back in action against Brentford this weekend and will be hoping for a positive result against the West London side.
Arteta has been putting his players through their paces ahead of the game, with some young faces spotted in training on Tuesday.
One of them was Bandeira, who was promoted to first-team training on Tuesday ahead of this weekend’s game.
Bandeira, 18, started out in the Queens Park Rangers academy before leaving for Arsenal in 2019.
Primarily a central midfielder, Bandeira has turned out 12 times for Arsenal in the Under-18 Premier League this season, recording three assists.
The Portuguese talent has been praised as ‘all-action’ by Jeorge Bird, the top source for all things Arsenal youth.
This is a great step for Bandeira, who underwent surgery from injury back in April and appears to be making major strides forward.
Bandeira will be well aware of Arsenal’s issues in midfield, so taking every chance he can get is vital.
Just look at Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe; both players have come through the Arsenal ranks and are now crucial first-team players.
That’s the dream for any Arsenal youngster now. Saka and Smith Rowe have become so good that Arsenal will keep looking in their academy for similar talents.
Why not Bandeira? The midfielder is showing quality in the Under-18’s this season and Arteta isn’t exactly flush with midfield options.
It’s unlikely that Bandeira will be in the squad to face Brentford, but this promotion to first-team training could be the start of something special for the teenager.
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