Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could throw young defender Lino Sousa in at the deep end as the Gunners attempt to cope without first-choice left-back Kieran Tierney.
Scotland international Tierney missed the defeat at Crystal Palace on Monday night, and could miss the remainder of the season as he goes in for surgery. Arteta admitted he is "not positive" about being able to call on the former Celtic man again this term, with a knee injury sustained during the international break also threatening the player's involvement in Scotland's upcoming World Cup play-off.
Nuno Tavares deputised at left-back at Selhurst Park - his first start since being hooked in the first half of the FA Cup third round defeat at Nottingham Forest - and failed to stake his claim for more regular minutes. Arteta doesn't have too many options at his disposal, but young talent Sousa could be one of them.
England youth international Sousa joined Arsenal from West Bromwich Albion in January, with a view to featuring for the under-18 and under-23 sides. However, according to football.london, the youngster has been catching the eye of first team staff.
The 17-year-old already has two goals in three appearances for Arsenal's under-23s in Premier League 2. He netted on his first start, against Blackburn Rovers in March, and also got himself on the scoresheet against a Manchester City under-23 side including multiple players with top-flight experience.
Sousa was also part of the Arsenal selection which beat Brentford B in a behind-closed-doors friendly during the international break, coming off the bench in the 4-1 victory. Alexandre Lacazette scored a hat-trick in the game, while Sousa's assist came for the other Gunners goal, scored by Rob Holding.
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Arteta has been operating with a small squad for much of the season, and this has meant opportunities for a number of academy talents. In addition to the likes of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, who are firmly part of the first team squad, there have been minutes for Charlie Patino in the cup.
Other youngsters have been named on the bench for league and cup games without getting onto the pitch. Marcelo Flores, Zak Swanson and Mazeed Ogungbo were among the substitutes for the Palace game, while the likes of Mika Biereth and Omari Hutchinson have also made matchday squads.
Arteta will be keen for a response from his team as they return to action against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday looking to return to the top four. The Gunners are behind their neighbours on goal difference after a substantial swing over the weekend, with Arsenal losing 3-0 and Spurs beating Newcastle 5-1, though Arteta's men still have a game in hand.
