Arsenal wonderkid Marcelo Flores is set to be part of the first-team squad that makes the trip to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace, receiving a late call up to join Mikel Arteta and his side. The 18-year-old is the latest of a string of talented youth prospects that have been given a chance under the Spaniard since his arrival.
Flores was born in Georgetown, Ontario in Canada, but actually holds Mexican-Canadian dual citizenship that would allow him to play for either country, although he represented Mexico at youth level. The youngster can play anywhere behind the striker, adding quality on the ball along with goals at every level he has played at so far.
He joined the Gunners from League One side Ipswich Town on a free transfer in 2019, climbing the ranks of the youth system incredibly fast. He has scored ten goals in 20 games for both the under-18s and under-23s this season, continuing his trajectory at Hale End.
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Despite the fact that he is yet to make an appearance at senior club level, the attacking midfielder has already received his debut for the Mexico senior national team. Flores played left-wing, coming off the bench against Chile in a 2-2 draw back in December.
His next step appears to be pushing for the first team, following in the path of a number of Arsenal first-team players that have done so before him. Speaking to Goal, he said: “I would like to make my Premier League debut before I turn 19, that’s my goal.
“And I’d like to get my proper international debut for Mexico and hopefully be involved in the Qatar World Cup. I idolise players like [Lionel] Messi, [Cristiano] Ronaldo and Neymar, who have all done the same thing.
“Looking up to players like them, you want to match what they did because like any player, my ultimate dream is to win things like the Champions League and the Ballon d'Or.”
Arteta has already shown he has an eye for young talent, with the likes of Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka becoming regular first-team players from the academy. With a number of other promising players coming through, Flores included, his inclusion could be the start of an influx of the next generation.
