Arsenal haven’t signed any players specifically for their U18 or U21 squads for quite some time but they may be about to make an exception for Mason Cotcher.
A forward who was previously at Sunderland, Cotcher has featured as a trialist in Arsenal’s last two U18 games and found the net in today’s draw against Crystal Palace.
Cotcher is a skilful player who usually plays up front but is also capable of operating out wide. The 17-year-old has been capped by England at youth level and was an unused substitute for Sunderland’s first-team against Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup last season.
Arsenal have several talented young strikers on their books at U18 level, including Omari Benjamin, Daniel Oyetunde and Jakai Bascoe-Fisher.
However, they are eager to secure the signing of Cotcher, who is a highly rated prospect.
Given his age, Cotcher is eligible to sign a professional contract and it is anticipated that if he does join Arsenal then as well as featuring for the U18s he will also be pushing for involvement with the U21s.
Benjamin found himself on the bench for the game against Palace but provided a reminder of his quality as he came on to score a late equaliser in a 3-3 draw.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
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