Mikel Arteta says that the pre-season performances of young players Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Ayden Heaven, will see the youngsters spend plenty of time with the first team this season.
The trio were involved in the first team media day in midweek, having their pictures taken alongside the more experienced senior players, and their development will continue on the training ground throughout the new campaign.
It remains to be seen how much playing time they’ll get in the initial stages, but hopefully favourable cup draws will give them chances as they continue to push for involvement in the Premier League and Champions League.
Asked about the trio at his press conference today, Arteta said, “Myles has played a lot of minutes, Ethan as well, Aiden as well, in pre-season. It’s given us a big platform for them to understand how good they are and the options that we have in the squad right now, and for sure they’re going to be training with us.”
And when pressed on what in particular he enjoyed about them during the US Tour and the games against Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon, he continued, “What I loved the most was their attitude, their personalities, how much they wanted, the way they were competing in training.
“We saw them in very difficult contexts and they responded and it was a great test to see where they are and I think we are in a really good place.”
At the same time though, there is still demand for more signings, with Mikel Merino linked strongly again, but the Arsenal boss made it clear his first thought is to get even more from the players currently at his disposal.
“I already said at the beginning that the main focus that we have as a coaching staff is to improve our players and find margins in everything that we do to give them the best possibility to find a level that probably they haven’t even dreamed about,” he said.
“That’s what we have to do. Then if we have to add something because we don’t have it in our team or in the academy, then obviously we have to recruit it.”
The next generation. You love to see it.
Let’s hope we end up in heaven at the end of the season.
and that none of them end up in the MLS
the confrims typo reminds me of when frimpong made his debut against Liverpool I think and we were all like “yeah this is the guy” and then he got sent off like the mad bastard he was. good times. a cautionary tale also, but good times.
The memories 🤣🤣🤣
I’m still sure he would’ve been the guy if he didn’t completely wreck his knee (twice in a row I think?). Never had got back that same bounce in his legs after that, nor that swag he had early on. DEEENCH
Arguably found his true calling as the Arsenal mascot and training ground vibes guy
frimpong or frimmy?
DENCH!! Haha was that frinpong and lethal bizzle??
Generational talent the futures of Arsenal football club
I feel like Nwaneri rarely/never smiles. Maybe he’s just super focused…