With many of the first-team players having been on international duty, a large group of youngsters were selected to train with the remaining senior stars this week.
Amongst them was Marli Salmon, a 15-year-old defender who has made a significant impact for the academy recently despite technically still being a schoolboy.
Capable of playing at right-back or centre-back, Salmon relishes bringing the ball out from defence in order to initiate attacks.
Previously called up by England at youth level, the Hale End youngster could be part of Arsenal’s scholarship intake next season and if he is then it is likely that he will be one of the key players in that group.
Salmon impressed for the U18s in pre-season and has been heavily involved at that level recently, while he has also featured for the U19s in the UEFA Youth League.
The experience that Salmon has gained should stand him in good stead for the future and he will be looking to continue to impress as he aims to retain his place in the starting lineup for the U18s.
In addition, Salmon will have ambitions of breaking into the U21 setup before the conclusion of the campaign.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
I bet he has got a good leap on him.
Difficult when you have to swim upstream.
They almost called him marlin but double fish name was a step too far
I believe his middle name is Norman..