KEY POINTS

  • Arteta is giving another academy player a chance to strut his wares
  • Joel Ideho is not guaranteed a regular spot on the Arsenal first team
  • Ideho may be following in the footsteps of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe

Arsenal continues to skim its young talent for potential additions, and it appears the latest is Joel Ideho.

Head coach Mikel Arteta has called up the 18-year-old for first-team training although this is no assurance he would get a senior matchday spot.

According to All Nigeria Soccer, Arteta wanted to run the rule over Ideho. The young winger has drawn raves for his past performances, include his Under-18 performance where he had five goals and three assists in 17 appearances across his name.

The young footballer joined Arsenal last year from the Ajax academy before linking up with the Gunners U-18.

His U-18 performance earned him a spot in the U-23 this summer, where he managed to register a goal and an assist.

He drew attention for his goal in the team’s 2-1 loss to Swindon in the EFL Trophy last week.

Given his run, it appears it was enough to catch the eye of Arteta. However, it may be nothing more than to see just how good he is at another level.

Last year, Ideho admitted idolizing Wilfried Zaha. He explained how Crystal Palace and Ivory Coast player has been a source of inspiration for him.

"I would say that my game is inspired by Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace because he's a creative player with a fast pace,” Ideho stated at that time. "My strengths would be my pace and my actions one-v-one".

The 18-year-old from the Netherlands is the latest young player to get some attention and opportunities.

Among those who have made big strides so far include Bukayo Saka, Folarin Balogun and Emile Smith Rowe.

Joel Ideho of Ajax
Joel Ideho of Ajax Getty Images | Jonathan Moscrop

Aside from those names, Charlie Patino was another player who has drawn raves from scouts.

The 17-year-old has been used by Arteta during the training sessions of the Gunners, and there is a chance he could make it to the first team.

In the eyes of Arsenal scout Brian Stapleton, Patino is the best kid he has ever seen through the years of scouting, Goal reported.

“I got a tip-off about Charlie from a guy, so I went over there and I couldn't believe what I was seeing. He was 11 and I think he was playing in the Under-13s, and I was like ‘wow,’” he said.

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