Demiane Agustien offers encouragement during challenging pre-season for Arsenal U21s

With a host of players away with the first-team squad and a permanent coach (publicly at least) yet to have been appointed, it has been a challenging pre-season for Arsenal U21s so far.

That has been borne out in the results, with a commendable draw against Boreham Wood being followed by defeats to St Albans, Austria Vienna II and Enfield Town.

In the latter two fixtures, however, there were at least some positives to take from proceedings, with new signing Demiane Agustien showing why Arsenal decided to bring him in.

An attacking midfielder with excellent technique and passing range, Agustien has slotted in quickly at Arsenal following his arrival from Derby County.

Against Enfield last night Agustien played a pass into the path of Ceadach O’Neill, who found the net only for his effort to be ruled out for offside.

With a lack of depth in the attacking midfield positions at present it seems likely that Agustien will have a prominent part to play for the U21s this season.

Despite agreeing a deal for Will Wright, the Salford striker is now set to join Liverpool instead.

It will be interesting to see whether Arsenal still look to bring in another forward for the U21s as greater depth is certainly required.

The eventual return to the U21s of the likes of Andre Harriman-Annous, Marli Salmon and Louie Copley will undoubtedly improve the squad overall but the likes of Ismeal Kabia, Josh Nichols and Maldini Kacurri (if fit) are in need of loan spells.

There is a concern about how the U21 squad will be able to cope this season if several players are out injured or, as is commonplace at this level, are training with the first-team on a regular basis.