Arsenal starlet Marcelo Flores will reportedly be included in Mikel Arteta’s squad to face Crystal Palace.
The 18-year-old academy ace’s first Premier League call-up was announced by his father Ruben, a former professional footballer in Canada and Mexico, who tweeted the news to his 11,100 followers. The evident pride, emotion, and excitement his father expressed in the brief message was close to being tangible.
“So proud and excited with the first call up of Marcelo Flores with the first team [of] Arsenal," Flores senior said about his young starlet. “Good luck son, you’ve been preparing all your life for moments like this”.
Arsenal’s scouting department first spotted the Mexican international while he was only 15 years old. At the time, Flores was making a name for himself by pulling the strings in Ipswich Town’s youth development system.
Ever since the Gunners’ coerced him over to north London, Flores has been developing at an astounding speed. He has contributed an impressive six goals and two assists in 11 appearances for the U18s, as well as three goals and one assist in Premier League 2.
Arsenal U23s manager Kevin Betsy handed him his first appearance in January; introducing the midfielder in the second half against Brighton and Hove Albion. His promising cameo prompted Betsy to introduce him from the bench against Chelsea in the Papa John’s Trophy quarter final.
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His impact was almost immediate, providing the final flourish in what was a wonderful team goal for the young Gunners. “He has been very good and really grown in the group. He trains with us everyday,” Betsy told The Athletic after the match.
“That started at the beginning of the season back when he was with the under-18’s and now he is with us again for a longer period. He has already shown his quality. We believe in him as a young footballer and fantastic character.
“He wants to learn and improve everyday and you are seeing his positive performances.” Flores’ time spent at the Gunners has exclusively been within their academy teams, but he has already had a taste of senior football.
He was handed his first senior international appearance for Mexico in December, coming off the bench in place of Uriel Antuna during the central Americans’ 2-2 draw with South American giants Chile.
Arteta’s attention has been firmly captured by the electric midfielder, and there is no reason why he cannot follow in the same footsteps as Emile Smith-Rowe and Bukayo Saka. In the space of two seasons, the England duo have transformed from raw academy prospects into full-time England internationals.
While Arteta has also refreshed his side in the transfer windows, two of the Gunners’ most important players have been developed and moulded by the Arsenal boss. The former Manchester City assistant’s eye for young talent is yet to fail him at the Emirates Stadium – if Flores can maintain his current trajectory and further develop and elevate his skills, then there is no reason to suggest Arteta’s instinct in the youngster is misplaced.
