The main focus following the Arsenal XI friendly against QPR yesterday was on the involvement of first-team players Takehiro Tomiyasu and Thomas Partey.
From the perspective of the Arsenal U21 team, however, the inclusion of Elian Quesada-Thorn was also hugely significant.
An attack-minded left-back who signed his first professional contract last summer, Quesada-Thorn hasn’t played all season because of injury, while he also spent part of the previous campaign on the sidelines.
The 19-year-old is now back in action and played the second half of the 4-0 defeat to QPR.
Quesada-Thorn’s return is timely as Arsenal U21s haven’t had many natural left-backs to call upon following Lino Sousa’s departure at the end of the Winter transfer window.
James Sweet, who is normally a right-back, has filled in well at left-back in recent games, but Quesada-Thorn would be a more natural fit.
Previously called up by Costa Rica at senior level, Quesada-Thorn will be eager to make up for lost time. He developed well at Hale End prior to signing scholarship terms in 2021.
Arsenal U21s have just four matches remaining in the regular season, with the first of those to come on April 8th when they face Stoke City away. Play-offs will then follow and Quesada-Thorn will be looking to get as much playing time as possible.
Next season is set to be a significant one for Quesada-Thorn as he will be looking to establish himself as the first-choice left-back for the U21s and potentially edge closer to the first-team squad.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
