Talented Arsenal U18s prospects can add to depth to U21 squad

Following the closure of the transfer window Arsenal have just 15 full time players in their U21 squad.

This includes goalkeeper Alexei Rojas, who usually trains with the first-team.

There may be some concerns about the depth of the U21 squad for the first half of the campaign but these are offset by the fact that there are some very talented U18 players who could make the step up if required.

Forward Andre Harriman-Annous and defender Marli Salmon are already seemingly part of the U21 squad on a regular basis, while Ife Ibrahim, Ceadach O’Neill and Theo Julienne have already featured at that level this season.

Goalkeepers Jack Porter and Khari Ranson will be looking to add to their experience of U21 football at some stage and there are plenty of other prospects who could be called upon if needed.

Midfielders Maalik Hashi and Alex Marciniak impressed for the U21s in pre-season and have started the campaign well with the U18s.

Right-back Josiah King has also caught the eye for the U18s and there may be times when he could get close to the U21 squad.

Louis Zecevic John, Callan Hamill and Brando Bailey-Joseph are also waiting for an opportunity, while it isn’t beyond the realms of possibility that schoolboy Kyran Thompson could feature for the U21s at some stage this season.

The majority of the youngsters will remain with the U18s for now but Max Porter will have some interesting options to call upon if players are unavailable due to injuries or involvement with the first-team. There are also two more spaces on the bench for EFL Trophy games in comparison to league fixtures.

It also remains to be seen whether Max Dowman, who has been exclusively involved with the first-team so far this season, will feature for the U21s at some point.

Arsenal U21 squad

*- Still eligible to play for U18s

Goalkeepers

Mitchell, Rojas

Defenders

Nichols, Kacurri, Clarke, Sweet, Salmon*, Washington, Ismail

Midfielders

Dudziak, Copley, Agustien

Attackers

Ferdinand, Dowman*, Harriman-Annous*, Oyetunde, Sagoe Jr, Kamara

—

Mitchell

(Porter*, Ranson*, Rojas)

(Setford will be available for some games)

Nichols-Salmon*-Kacurri-Washington

(Julienne*-Clarke-Sweet-Ismail)

Dudziak

(Ibrahim*)

Copley-Agustien

(Hashi*-Marciniak*)

Ferdinand-Harriman Annous**-Sagoe Jr

(O’Neill**-Oyetunde**-Kamara)

(Dowman** if available)

Other U18/U16 players with previous U21 callups (competitive games or friendlies):

Chapman, Ogunnaike, Onyekachukwu, Zecevic John, Bailey-Joseph, Hamill, King, Murisa, Phillips, Sampang, Stachow, Thompson, Lo-Tutala.