According to Chris Wheatley, Mikel Arteta has taken Lino Sousa to Germany for pre-season with the senior Arsenal players.
What’s the story?
Well, this is a big moment for the 17-year-old.
Arsenal signed the teenager in a deal from West Brom back in January, fending off a number of Premier League sides to secure his signature.
The left-back then went on to make four appearances in the Premier League 2, a competition designed for Under-23 players, so he is performing well above his years.
Sousa clearly impressed Arteta in those outings, as he has now been included in the first-team squad for Arsenal’s pre-season training camp in Germany.
18-year-old Salah Oulad M’hand will also travel with the Gunners.
It is set to be an exciting summer for the two teenagers, who must now work hard to impress Arteta even more, and prove they are capable of making an impact.
If they do shine in Germany, they should take encouragement from the fact Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have become first-team regulars under the Spaniard, who clearly puts a lot of faith in youngsters.
Lino Sousa has an opportunity at Arsenal
If the Gunners already had a wealth of options at left-back, then we would argue that he may struggle to break into the first-team regardless of how he performs in Germany.
However, Arsenal have been tracking the likes of Aaron Hickey and Lisandro Martinez as they are currently searching for a new face in that department.
Nuno Tavares struggled in his first season at the Emirates Stadium, whereas Kieran Tierney is unfortunately very prone to injuries.
Therefore, if Sousa does well this summer, it is very possible that Arteta considers him a genuine first-team option next season, potentially starting with the domestic cup competitions.
Nevertheless, the lack of depth at left-back should provide Sousa with all the motivation he needs in Germany.
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