Arsenal play their first game of their USA tour tonight as they take on Colorado Rapids and there could be several youngsters involved.
Robbie Burton, James Olayinka and Dominic Thompson have yet to make a competitive first-team appearance for the Gunners, but they may be given a chance to showcase their credentials.
Here’s what to expect from each of them.
Robbie Burton
Wales youth international Burton, a 19-year-old midfielder, trained with Unai Emery’s squad on several occasions last season.
Burton, a product of Arsenal’s Hale End academy, is capable of playing slick passes, yet he isn’t the strongest physically.
The youngster frequently takes corners for Arsenal at academy level and was part of the side that reached the final of the FA Youth Cup in 2018.
James Olayinka
Olayinka, 18, is also a Hale End product and is held in good regard by all of the coaches at London Colney.
Full of energy, he can play in various midfield positions as well as out wide or at right-back, which could prove to be very useful during the tour.
He does, however, have a tendency to hold onto the ball for too long at times, which is something that he will be seeking to eradicate from his game.
Dominic Thompson
A left-back, Thompson will turn 19 later this month and is a hard-working and tenacious player who frequently pushes forward to support the attack.
While in charge of the U23s last season Freddie Ljungberg experimented by deploying Thompson as an attacking midfielder in some games and that move looks to have improved the youngster’s overall tactical understanding.
There are still occasions when Thompson can get caught out, but being involved with the first-team should help him to improve.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
A chance for the youngsters to show the first team players how to play. Good luck to all of them
In summary. Don’t get too excited.
For me, James Olayinka is the player I’m particularly interested in seeing develop. He is versatile (as indicated in the report) but he is very industrious and although he’s physically not yet the strongest he does have an excellent skill set and for me, the people that are calling for the club to buy back Ismael Bennacer should watch Olayinka play first as that’s the type of player James could become.
Glad to see some youth involved. The call ups to the first team, These kids on the American tour. I hope we can get more out the academy. Thanks for the updates Jeorge. Always like reading about the new kids coming up.
I don’t suppose this will be shown live anywhere?
Looks like it may be on the official site?
Not sure whether it’s on the website but all of our pre season games are being shown on Premier sport available via subscription. It’s sister channel free sport usually repeats games within 24 hours of them going out live. I have a virgin box and it is a standard channel on their system. The game against Colorado is kicks off at 2:00 a.m tomorrow morning!