With much of the first team away on their pre-season tour, a number of Arsenal youngsters had a chance to impress as an Under-23 XI took on National League South side Dulwich Hamlet at Champion Hill.
A handful of youngsters have travelled to the United States, including Reuell Walters and Folarin Balogun, after others had a chance to impress against Ipswich and in the 5-3 win in Nurnberg. Those who stayed behind, however, did so with the goal of showing Arteta he was wrong to leave them at home.
Both teams went close in the first half, with Nana Owusu striking the crossbar for the hosts and Charlie Patino doing likewise for Arsenal. The Dulwich woodwork was struck for a second time on the stroke of half-time, but the teams went in level at the break.
Arsenal had a strong penalty appeal waved away shortly after the restart, with Matt Smith going down in the box, but the claims were waved away by referee Aji Ajibola. Arsenal continued to get forward, though, with Lino Sousa forcing a save with a low angled drive.
As both sides made changes, it was the hosts who came closest, with Danny Mills sending a free header off target. Ultimately, though, neither team was able to break the deadlock.
Here, Mirror Football has more detail on five of the Arsenal youngsters who might have given Arteta food for thought with their display in south east London.
Which Arsenal youngster are you most excited about? Have your say in the comments section
Zach Awe
Arsenal are hardly lacking for central defenders, but Awe will have been eager to impress after making a Premier League matchday squad last season. The centre-back towered above players from both sides, shaking off an early physical challenge from Dan Smith as if it was nothing.
He even showed what he can do in the attacking third, breaking free from a set piece and firing a dangerous ball across which almost gave Arsenal a half-time lead. It was mostly in his usual role where he excelled, though, using his body well to make things tough for the non-league outfit.
Awe made way for the final half hour, with Zane Monlouis taking his place. However, he may well have felt it was job done in terms of enhancing his reputation.
Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand
After training with Arteta’s first team last term and testing himself against senior players, Oulad M’Hand slotted into a relatively deep-lying role at Champion Hill where he looked to dictate play. An early shot from distance showed he was not lacking in confidence, while he was willing to drop deep and look for the ball.
Wearing the No.10 shirt, he showed plenty of willingness to make things happen. This was characterised by an acrobatic effort moments before the break which he couldn’t quite keep down.
The way Arteta has used Martin Odegaard could offer encouragement to the 18-year-old, who was far more involved than fellow midfielder Charlie Patino in the early stages. With Europa League and domestic cup opportunities likely to present themselves, he’ll hope to continue along the right trajectory in the coming weeks and months.
Joel Ideho
Former Ajax youngster Ideho started out on the left and looked eager to make an impression. The winger, who turns 19 this week, was a bag of tricks, causing issues for the Dulwich defence for much of the first half.
The Dutch talent might still be lacking in physicality, but he’s the kind of player who you feel can worry defences, as shown with a smart turn which forced Frankie Raymond into a foul. He also came close to finding the opener, zipping down the inside left channel only to see his deflected effort clawed off the line, and later forced a sharp save from the hosts’ substitute goalkeeper.
While Ideho’s trickery and pace were plain to see, hie physical attributes could be the biggest obstacle. A loan this term could help, just as time in the EFL has benefitted the likes of Emile Smith Rowe in the past.
Charlie Patino
Patino, who scored on his Arsenal debut last season, took a while to get into the game. However, once he found his feet, the midfielder began to show he had another gear or two.
After one shot from distance which caused few problems for opposition keeper Charlie Grainger, Patino found his shooting boots around the half-hour mark. After a defensive slip gifted possession to the Gunners, he unleashed a powerful 25-yard effort which beat Grainger but cannoned back off the crossbar.
Arsenal’s No.8 was withdrawn around the hour mark, having failed to come any closer after the break. Still, the effort against the woodwork was the closest any Arsenal player came to scoring while he was on the pitch.
Lino Sousa
Signed midway through last season, Sousa was talked of as a potential first-teamer as injuries struck at the end of the campaign. If Nuno Tavares ends up leaving, there could be opportunities for the former West Brom left-back.
It was a steady first 45 for the 17-year-old, who looked confident both defensively and going forward. This came to a head in the second period when he broke into the Dulwich box and worried the opposition goalkeeper with a powerful low drive.
It was after Sousa’s withdrawal that his value was plain to see, though. Almost instantly, Dulwich threatened down the side he had vacated and created chances in an area of the pitch where they’d been quiet for much of the game.
