How Arsenal U21s could line up in pre-season with Theo Julienne’s versatility a key asset

It is just over a week until Arsenal U21s get their pre-season schedule underway with the traditional game against Boreham Wood at Meadow Park. As this game will take place before any of the first-team’s main friendlies, Mehmet Ali could have the majority of his squad available. However, following that some players, the likes of […]

How Arsenal U21s could line up in pre-season with Theo Julienne’s versatility a key asset
Image: Arsenal

It is just over a week until Arsenal U21s get their pre-season schedule underway with the traditional game against Boreham Wood at Meadow Park.

As this game will take place before any of the first-team’s main friendlies, Mehmet Ali could have the majority of his squad available. However, following that some players, the likes of Max Dowman especially, may have commitments with the senior squad.

In terms of full-time members of the U21 squad, the following players are in training: Clarke, Copley, Dudziak, Ferdinand, Ismail, Kabia, Kacurri, Nichols, Oyetunde, Rojas, Sagoe Jr, Sweet and Washington.

Osman Kamara could also start training soon, while goalkeeper Lucas Nygaard has been given some time off after his involvement at the U19 European Championship.

Some younger players have also been training with the U21 squad: Dowman, Harriman-Annous, Julienne, Porter, Ranson, Zecevic John and Salmon.

Here’s a look at who could be involved in each position.

Goalkeepers

Ali has several options to choose from in Rojas, Porter and Ranson.

Defenders

Nichols should start at right-back, with Julienne capable of providing cover in that position.

There are plenty of options at centre-back, with Kacurri, Sweet, Clarke and Salmon all available.

In addition, there are two left-back options in Marcell Washington and Cam’ron Ismail.

Midfielders

Dudziak is capable of playing deep in midfield or slightly further forwards. If he is deployed in the number six position then Dowman and Copley could operate ahead of him. Julienne could provide another option at the base of the midfield if needed.

Attackers

Wingers Kabia, Ferdinand, Sagoe Jr and potentially Kamara all have experience at U21 level.

With regards to the central striking options, Ali can choose between the likes of Oyetunde, Harriman-Annous and Zecevic John, with the latter pair also capable of playing out wide.

Potential Arsenal U21 team in pre-season

Porter

Ranson, Rojas

Nichols-Kacurri-Clarke-Washington

Julienne/Hamill-Salmon-Sweet-Ismail

Dudziak

Julienne/Ibrahim

Dowman-Copley

Hashi-Sampang

Kabia-Harriman Annous-Sagoe Jr

Ferdinand-Oyetunde-Zecevic John

Looking at this squad there is potentially a lack of depth in midfield, especially if Dowman is later required to be with the first-team. This could lead to some younger players being called up such as first-year scholars Maalik Hashi and Saurap Sampang. Second year Ife Ibrahim is another option at the base of midfield. New singing Callan Hamill could also provide cover at right-back if needed.