Four Arsenal academy players have joined the first team in training ahead of Wednesday’s match against PSG, and it’s possible all four will receive squad call-ups.
PRESTON, ENGLAND: Tommy Setford of Arsenal looks on during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Preston North End and Arsenal at Deepdale on October 30, 2024. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
Training footage from Arsenal’s open session on Tuesday has revealed that Arsenal quartet Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, Jack Henry-Francis, Michal Rosiak, and Tommy Setford were all involved with Mikel Arteta’s first team for one final practice ahead of their trip to France.
Given Jurrien Timber, Martin Odegaard, and Riccardo Calafiori are all back in training following their injuries, with Thomas Partey returning from suspension, there may not be as many spaces in the squad for youth players as in many of the previous Champions League fixtures.
But including all four of the above players, the rest of the senior squad and third-choice goalkeeper Setford, Arsenal still have three spaces remaining for academy call-ups.
BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND: Michal Rosiak of Arsenal during the UEFA Youth League match between Arsenal and Shakhtar Donetsk at Meadow Park on October 22, 2024. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images)
Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images
The Champions League offers 12 spaces on the bench, unlike the Premier League’s nine. That could mean Butler-Oyedeji, Henry-Francis, and Rosiak all joining the team in Paris.
Arsenal have left spaces empty on the bench in the Champions League before this season, but generally only for the home games.
Perhaps the club feel it’s more of a risk not to call up the full 23 players for an away game, where it’s much more difficult to have an additional player fly over if there are any last-minute injuries or illnesses.
arsenal fc training session and press conference uefa champions league 2024 25 semi final first leg 1
Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images
The travelling squad will likely be confirmed when Arsenal board their flight to Paris on Tuesday afternoon, and Mikel Arteta will be available to provide updates during his press conference in the evening.
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