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‘Outstanding’ Arsenal 18-year-old in first-team training ahead of Liverpool match today
There’s no doubt that an FA Cup tie against Liverpool presents a huge opportunity for Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal side today.
Not only do Arsenal have the chance to knock out a rival in pursuit of silverware, they are also desperate to build some positive momentum.
Defeats against West Ham United and Fulham have completely soured the mood at the Emirates, and have also damaged Arteta’s title hopes in the short term.
That being said, the first half of the season has also given reason for optimism, there’s still plenty to be positive about in North London.
And ahead of this big clash against table-topping Liverpool, Mikel Arteta may include some promising youngsters in his Arsenal squad.
When training yesterday, 18-year-old Lino Sousa was spotted alongside the first team, as he regularly has been this season.
Journalist shared the news on X, which could then be confirmed by the release of Arsenal’s training gallery.
Moreover, with multiple defenders now missing through injury or away with their national team, this could be significant.
It seems very possible that ‘’ Sousa will take Takehiro Tomiyasu’s place on the bench tomorrow.
And with Sousa already looking like a player capable of playing in the inverted role that Oleksandr Zinchenko often fulfils, that could be a real positive.
Mikel Arteta calls up Lino Sousa to Arsenal training ahead of Liverpool
The Arsenal manager has been reluctant to hand minutes to his academy players purely on the basis of generosity – preferring his players to earn every chance they get.
But with it possible that Arsenal will have just Jakub Kiwior, Cedric Soares and Sousa on their bench as defenders today, it’s not impossible that the latter will be needed.
Kiwior has struggled in possession whilst at left-back and there seems little point in handing Cedric chances ahead of Sousa.
Therefore, it certainly could be a good opportunity for Sousa to make his first important contribution for Arsenal from the bench today.
Mikel Arteta can’t afford to take the tie against Liverpool lightly, he will name a strong Arsenal team, but an opportunity handed to a youngster could really lift the mood around the club.
That being said, Arsenal fans should be pleased to hear Arteta suggest that one player isn’t for sale in January.