Marcelo Flores is set to be included in the Arsenal squad for the first time tonight as the Gunners face Crystal Palace.
The news was confirmed by the midfielder’s father, Ruben, on Twitter ahead of Monday’s trip to Selhurst Park.
“So proud and excited with the first call up of Marcelo Flores with the first team [of] Arsenal,” he tweeted.
“Good luck son, you’ve been preparing all your life for moments like this.”
Flores, 18, was born in Canada but represents Mexico, the country of his father’s birth, and made his senior debut for the national team last year.
Arsenal signed the midfielder in 2019 from Ipswich, who he joined after being spotted playing on the Cayman Islands - where his dad managed the women’s national team.
This season, he has scored ten goals in 20 games for the Under-18 and Under-23 teams.
So proud and excited with the first call up of @marceloflores with the first team @arsenal
— Ruben Flores ⚽️ (@Ruboflores) April 3, 2022
Good luck son ❤️ you’ve been preparing all your life for moments like this #Flor3s
Football is certainly in his genes with dad Ruben an ex-player and his two sisters also making their way in the game; Tatiana a Mexico youth international in Chelsea’s system, and Silvana on the books at Ipswich after spells at Arsenal, Tottenham and Reading.
Mikel Arteta has called up a number of youngsters to the first-team squad this season with both Zak Swanson and Omari Hutchinson on the bench for the win at Aston Villa last time out. Charlie Patino has also impressed when given a runout.
