There haven’t been quite as many academy players named on the bench for the Arsenal first-team in recent months as there were in the second half of last season, when the squad was very thin.
Reuell Walters, however, has been involved in the senior setup of late having been named on the bench away to Sporting Lisbon and then at home to Crystal Palace.
With Takehiro Tomiyasu ruled out for the rest of the season, it seems likely that Walters, who is currently away with England U19s, will continue to train frequently with the first-team after the international break.
Depending on how many other players are out, it is possible that the 18-year-old could get on the bench again for Mikel Arteta’s team.
It could be an eventful end to the season for Walters as he is also expected to continue playing for the U21s, while he is part of the U18 side that will take on Manchester City in the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup.
Walters is mainly a right-back who relishes pushing forwards, but this season he has also received plenty of experience operating at centre-back and it will be interesting to see which position he ends up playing in the long term.
Looking ahead to next season, it is possible that Walters could continue to be on the periphery of the squad and perhaps feature in the League Cup. However, it may well be more beneficial for him to go on loan and gain experience of senior football.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
I’d rather give this lad a chance than to ever again have to witness Cedric wearing an Arsenal shirt in anger ( ie playing for the first XI)
Well given he’s on loan you won’t have to, not that he was really that bad. He was fine for a third choice right back.
What about when Brooke Norton-Cuffy comes back?
I think Norton-Cuffy could go on loan again next season but both are good prospects.
I think Brooke reminds me of Tavares, as they both lack composure in defending and he might be more suited to operating as a WB or even a WM. No doubt talented players the both of them, but I think Arteta values different qualities for a fullback. If Southampton goes down, we can target KWP, but I’d MUCH rather we spend the cash on Livramento. Saka + him together on that right hand side would be something.
KWP is ex-Spurs so I’d rather not.
Sol Campbell was ex- spurs. So too was Jennings
You need to take those blinkers off
Sounds like time at CB could prove valuable at honing the defensive side of his game. We know Arteta wants his full backs to contribute to the attack, but it has to be in the right ways. Compare how Ben White operates, with smart passing and support, to someone like Nuno Tavares, who has attacking skills but leaves the defensive door far too open. Even if Walters becomes a RB long-term, this spell will do him a lot of good.
Give him the last 3 games of the season….after we’ve already won the trophy!
Didn’t he play at centre-back with the 1st team when Arsenal went on tour, not sure if it was either pre-season or during a mid-season break…