There were plenty of positives to take from Arsenal U21s’ victory against Nottingham Forest on Friday night, with the performance of left-back Cam’ron Ismail one of the plus points.
Still technically an U18 player, Ismail has been on the fringes of the U21 squad for some time having made his debut at that level two seasons ago when he was a schoolboy.
The Egypt youth international has had to be patient for opportunities but it appears that he could now get the chance to fully establish himself in the team, with Elian Quesada-Thorn out injured.
Previously a winger before he joined Arsenal in 2021, Ismail has worked hard to develop the defensive side of his game and is now being rewarded. Against Forest he made several good interventions and also demonstrated that he is also now stronger physically than when he first featured for the U21s.
Ismail had started against Fulham in a 6-3 defeat last weekend but on that occasion he found matters difficult as he was deployed out of position at centre-back.
Against Forest he was far more settled in his normal position and he will hope to have done enough to have retained his place in the starting lineup.
Arsenal have been considering signing another left-back at U21 level, with Wolves defender Lennon Patterson having featured as a trialist.
Ismail, however, will be looking to demonstrate that Arsenal already have a suitable option at their disposal in that position.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Keep it up.