During a week when one Hale End Academy graduate, Emile Smith Rowe, received his first England call-up, another gem could be emerging.
What’s the story?
Well, earlier today, 16-year-old Alexei Rojas Fedorushchenko took to Instagram to inform his followers that he was at London Colney.
Not for Under-17 training, nor Under-18 training. Not even Under-23 training – amazingly, the 16-year-old was with the first-team!
You can see a photo of Fedorushchenko’s Instagram story confirming the news below – what a special day for the teenager.
How good must he be to have caught Arteta’s eye at that age?
For a 16-year-old to stand in between the sticks, up against world class footballers, and face shots from them takes some serious courage.
It’s also a big call for a manager to put such a young goalkeeper in that position, so Arteta must clearly have faith in the wonderkid.
Who is Arsenal gem Alexei Rojas Fedorushchenko?
It may be years until we see Fedorushchenko in the first-team, as Aaron Ramsdale is only 23 himself, although he clearly has potential.
The Colombian glovesman – who also holds Russian citizenship – was named on the bench as Arsenal’s Under-18 side took on Birmingham earlier this season.
That alone was quite special, as the Under-18’s are obviously two ranks higher than where Fedorushchenko should be.
So, for him to now be involved with the first-team is quite remarkable.
Whatever he’s doing at Hale End, he should keep it up – he’s clearly impressing all the right people at London Colney, and long may it continue.
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