Arsenal's 25-man Premier League squad for the 2022/23 season has been released and there is one rather surprising inclusion.
As expected, summer signings Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Matt Turner and Fabio Vieira all made the cut as they have been registered as overseas players with Marquinhos named on the U21's list along with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba who are eligible throughout the campaign.
But the inclusion of George Lewis may have raised one or two eyebrows amongst the Arsenal fanbase. Just like Matt Smith, the 22-year-old had to be registered in the squad given his age otherwise he would have been ineligible from even being named in a Premier League matchday squad this season.
READ MORE: Dusan Vlahovic faces awkward Europa League scenario after £66.6m Arsenal transfer decision
A signing for the north London outfit in the summer of 2020 following a successful trial period, Lewis is can represent either Rwanda and Norway on the international stage should he have the option in the coming years having been born in the former but raised in the latter.
Predominately a left-winger who can operate on the opposite flank as well as a centre-forward, Lewis is yet to make a first-team breakthrough at the Emirates Stadium but is considered an overaged U21s player this season and most recently featured as a second-half substitute against Feyenoord.
Upon signing for Arsenal from Larvik, football.london revealed that the decision to hand Lewis a professional contract was a gamble on the academy manager Per Mertesacker's behalf and that the club were optimistic about his chances of competing for a first-team berth within his first two years.
Having been named in the 25-man Premier League squad, technically that prediction is on course to be correct as Lewis appears to be closer than ever to making a senior breakthrough - although he still finds himself firmly behind the likes of Saka, Martinelli, Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson and Marquinhos in the pecking order.
Interestingly, as reported by iTromso, the 22-year-old was on trial at Sandefjord in the summer but failed to earn a transfer. This came after Arsenal decided to activate the option of extending his contract by a further year: "The club chose to activate the option [to extend the contract] and I’m really happy they did. If not I wouldn’t be here," he said, as per Arseblog.
"I just want to play matches. If it’s in Arsenal or on loan at another club, I honestly don’t know. There has been some interest around, so a really important decision for my career is coming up, where I’m going to play the next 6 or 12 months.
"I take day by day and step by step. For me it’s all about getting 10-15-20 matches under my belt, scoring goals and assisting and make the best of the opportunities I’m given this next year, wherever that will be. I can only control what I can control, and that is myself and my development."
It's difficult to envisage the youngster getting much, if any game time for the Gunners at senior level this season as he's not in the Europa League squad. Therefore, it would not be too much of a surprise if he moves on when the January transfer opens or is released when his contract expires next June.
Still, being included in the squad somewhat hands Lewis a lifeline to prove the Arsenal academy chiefs and recruitment team right about offering him a professional contract as even if he doesn't have a long-term future at the club, his chances of competing for a first-team berth have improved.
Arsenal's 25-man Premier League squad:
Cedric Soares, Gabriel Magalhaes, Mohamed Elneny, Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira, Robert Holding*, George Lewis, Reiss Nelson*, Eddie Nketiah*, Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Aaron Ramsdale*, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Matthew Smith*, Emile Smith Rowe*, Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Matthew Turner, Benjamin White*, Granit Xhaka and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
(* = home-grown player)
Selected U21 players:
Miguel Azeez, Floarin Balogun, Marcelo Flores, Tyreece John-Jules, Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Mazeed Ogungbo, Arthur Okonkwo, Charlie Patino, Omar Rekik, Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, Gabriel Martinelli
READ NEXT:
Arsenal's four surviving players from Mikel Arteta lowest ever managerial moment in best XI
Arsenal's Premier League squad confirmed as Bukayo Saka and William Saliba absence explained
Kylian Mbappe plays key role in Arsenal securing Bukayo Saka contract amid shock clause reveal
Todd Boehly’s Chelsea 'Red Bull model' hopes should be welcomed by Arsenal who are aiming higher
Charlie Patino returns, Nuno Tavares' Champions League worry as Arsenal wonderkid suffers injury
