Will Sweet has mainly been used as a left-back when he has featured for Arsenal U18s so far this season but yesterday the youngster excelled in his preferred position of centre-back.
With Ayden Heaven unavailable, Sweet was called upon to start alongside Maldini Kacurri at the heart of the Arsenal defence for the Premier League Cup game away to Middlesbrough.
Sweet and Kacurri succeeded in striking up an impressive partnership as they helped Arsenal to keep a clean sheet in a 1-0 victory.
To cap off an encouraging display Sweet proceeded to score the only goal of the game – his first at U18 level – with a header in the 62nd minute.
When Heaven returns to the team Sweet may have to be patient to establish himself as a regular in the side, especially with Luis Brown currently being deployed at left-back.
However, Sweet has demonstrated to Jack Wilshere and the rest of the coaching staff that he can be a dependable presence when called upon.
The 17-year-old will hope to receive a callup to the U21s or the U19s as the season progresses.
If he represents the U21s then Sweet could end up playing alongside his brother James, who was recently on the bench for the first-team against Brentford in the Carabao Cup.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Sweet.
Like tropicana?
We really need to look into recruiting center backs with no arms. This way we reduce the chances of VAR screwing us over.
I swear the recruitment team totally takes into account the awesome names they’ve got. Probably went something along the likes of:-
Per: Those boys look really good. Who are they?
Scout: Sweet, Heaven and Maldini
Per: “Heavens, Maldini? Sweet!”