Mikel Arteta says the academy contingent travelling to Singapore and Hong Kong will be given the chance to stake their claim for first-team minutes as Arsenal prepare for friendlies against AC Milan, Newcastle, and Sp*rs.
Alongside Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, both of whom made senior breakthroughs last season, the manager has included eight more teenagers in his 30-man squad, with 15-year-olds Max Dowman and Marli Salmon catching the eye.
Dowman, a midfielder, has trained regularly with the first team since the turn of the year, while centre-back Salmon was part of the group that kicked off pre-season in La Manga. They’re joined by goalkeepers Tommy Setford and Alexei Rojas-Fedorushchenko, as well as Josh Nichols, Louie Copley, Ismeal Kabia, and Andre Harriman-Annous.
“They have the opportunity,” said Arteta in his first press conference of the summer.
“The window is open. Whoever knocks so hard and kicks that door is going to have the opportunity.
“We’re going to have games now and we’re going to have the opportunity to see some of them. It’s up to them.”
The coming weeks are also crucial for players returning from injury. Gabriel Magalhaes, who underwent surgery on a torn hamstring in April, is continuing his recovery and played 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors win over Watford on Saturday. Riccardo Calafiori, whose debut season in England was disrupted by injury, is also aiming to start strongly.
Arteta said Gabriel “looks in good shape,” while the player himself told The Athletic:
“I’m progressing really well — I’m already training with the group. It was a bit of a long process, but I’m feeling good now. I’m working harder every day to get ready.
“It’s going to be a season full of challenges, but we want to win, so I’m giving my best. I’m already in a good place to be able to play.”
As for Calafiori, Arteta said: “It’s a big season for him. He looks very, very excited. We know that one of the biggest things we have to achieve this season is availability. The main two injuries he had were in international duty while he was playing with Italy. But these things can happen.
“Now we want a player that is consistently available and performing at the level he can do. He brings an energy and unpredictability to the team that we’re really going to need. It was certainly missed for a big part of last season.
“Hopefully, that second season with more understanding and a bit more luck, which I think he will need as well, we can see a great version of him.”
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