Two Arsenal teenagers took part in training with the first team
Two 17-year-old prospects have made the step up to training with Arsenal’s first team.
Stefan O’Connor (above) and Ainsley Maitland-Niles (below) and, mixed it with the likes of Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey.
Of the pair, O’Connor only signed a professional deal in October, and is a centre-back tipped to go all the way to the top.
Maitland-Niles is a tricky winger and England youth international who has become a regular for the club’s under-21 side, scoring twice in eight games this season. He only turned 17 in August.
While neither player is likely to figure against Southampton, it is just yet another example of manager Arsene Wenger giving his young academy prospects a chance to improve by giving them new challenges.
Semi Ajayi and Chuba Akpom were both involved with the first team training ahead of last week’s clash with Borussia Dortmund.
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