Arsenal U21s have strong centre-back options despite Kacurri’s loan move

The departure of an experienced member of the U21 squad on loan can often lead to concerns about how the team will cope in terms of depth.

However, despite Maldini Kacurri’s temporary switch to Morecambe Arsenal U21s certainly have enough options at centre-back.

Marli Salmon only turned 16 last month but is already established as a key figure for the U21s.

Salmon’s involvement with the first-team in pre-season will undoubtedly have benefitted his development hugely and his reading of the game is excellent for such a young player.

Inevitably given his age there are still some aspects of Salmon’s game which require improvement and he is also still developing physically.

Salmon is a hugely exciting prospect and towards the end of last season he formed an encouraging partnership with Will Sweet at the heart of the defence.

A player who progressed all the way through the ranks at Hale End, Sweet is now in his first year as a professional and is determined to make as much progress as possible.

Sweet is capable of unlocking defences with superb long passes, which can be a very useful asset.

Brayden Clarke, meanwhile, has continued to develop well since joining Arsenal towards the end of the 2023/24 season.

A strong physical presence, Clarke, who can also play at right-back if required, was named on the bench for the Arsenal first-team last season.

In Clarke, Salmon and Sweet the U21s have some excellent options at centre-back.

With Max Porter’s side having a hectic schedule, some additional cover may be required at times, with U18s defenders Callan Hamill and Samuel Onyekachukwu the main candidates to step up if needed.

Arsenal U21s are back in action on Saturday with a home game against Wolverhampton Wanderers.