Arsenal 19-year-old called up to 1st-team training ahead of Leeds – report

Sat 18 December 2021 11:15, UK

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been putting the Gunners players through their paces ahead of their trip to Leeds on Saturday.

The Gunners have won their last two Premier League games in a row and will fancy their chances against a depleted Whites outfit.

Arsenal don’t have any fresh injury or suspension worries, though Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang won’t be involved.

By contrast, Leeds have a multitude of first-team players out through injury or suspension.

While the Arsenal team effectively picks itself now, Arteta has reportedly called up an academy talent to his latest session.

That player is Omar Rekik, a 19-year-old defender who has already made his senior international debut.

According to , the Tunisia international featured on Friday, with Salah-Eddine also taking part.

Rekik has been at Arsenal since January last year, when he joined from Hertha Berlin.

The 6ft 1in ace has made 13 appearances for the Gunners at Under-21/23 level this season.

Arsenal coaches rate him highly and, according to , he could go out on loan in January.

Portsmouth boss Luke Cowley has sung Rekik’s praises recently.

“We watched Arsenal play Ipswich and they played very well,” quotes Cowley as saying.

“They were 2-0 down and came back to win on penalties.

“Omar is a centre-half who I watched at Bournemouth a few weeks ago.

“He’s technically very good with a lovely range of passing and he breaks his lines taking real responsibility on the ball.

“He looks a talented player.”

Could Rekik be training with the first-team to prepare him for a loan move next month?

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