Louis Zecevic John set to add to Arsenal U18s’ attacking options

One of the most intriguing aspects of the season so far for Arsenal U18s has been the flexibility shown by coach Adam Birchall with regards to his selections in attack.

Ceadach O’Neill missed last weekend’s game against Brighton through injury but has enjoyed an excellent start to the season and has relished adapting to playing as a central striker having previously mainly been used out wide.

Schoolboy Kyran Thompson, meanwhile, has shown very encouraging signs of adapting to U18 level in recent weeks with three goals in two games. Similarly to O’Neill, Thompson has demonstrated that he can play as a striker as well as out wide.

Josiah King is mainly a right-back but has caught the eye as a winger at times and Alex Marciniak showed further glimpses of his undoubted ability when deployed on the left wing against Brighton.

Winger Brando Bailey-Joseph is continuing to develop impressively, to the extent where there have been suggestions that he should really be more involved with the U21 squad despite the strong competition for places out wide at that level.

First year scholar Marley Frohock, a striker, is also looking to establish himself as an important player in the U18 squad.

Birchall already has all of the aforementioned options at his disposal and they are set to be added to further by the return from injury of Louis Zecevic John.

The Serbia international, who has already secured a professional contract, is now back in training after missing the start of the season.

Zecevic John featured prominently for the U21s in pre-season and offers much pace and flair, while he can play as a winger or a striker.

It will be intriguing to see how Birchall elects to deploy Zecevic John but the 17-year-old may not be with the U18s for too long as he will have his sights set on breaking into the U21 squad.

Zecevic John has already registered ten goals and ten assists at U18 level and he will be looking to add to that tally soon.