There was a significant moment for Maldini Kacurri this summer, with the defender signing his first professional contract after two years with the club.
The no-nonsense centre-back has gained plenty of experience at U18 level over the past couple of seasons but he is no longer eligible to play for Jack Wilshere’s side and will now be stepping up to be part of the U21 squad on a full-time basis.
Kacurri has already featured five times in Premier League 2 but the 18-year-old will now be intent on establishing himself as a regular in the side.
There is competition for places but if players such as Omar Rekik depart then there should be plenty of opportunities for Kacurri to impress.
The Albania U19 international reads the game well and has impressive aerial ability, while he has also worked hard to develop his passing.
Kacurri received first-team recognition earlier this summer when he was an unused substitute for the behind-closed-doors friendly against Leyton Orient.
That will provide the youngster with an incentive that further chances could be on the horizon for Kacurri if he can impress for the U21s.
The 18-year-old isn’t afraid to make crunching challenges and he will be looking to put the skills that he has honed while playing for the U18s to good use.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
His name is Maldini, he is a center back… Who else is thinking what I am thinking?
Remember watching that really good documentary Arsenal released about a season of the youth team, which included us signing him when short on youth defenders. Good luck to him with the U21s this season!
Maldini from wish