With the Arsenal U18 squad having started training, we have a clearer indication of the players that coach Adam Birchall will have at his disposal ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
**Second years**
The following players are still eligible to play for the U18s: Chapman, Harriman-Annous, Ibrahim, Julienne, Marciniak, Ogunnaike, O’Neill, Onyekachukwu, Porter, Ranson and Zecevic John.
Of those, Harriman-Annous seems likely to be heavily involved with the U21s, while goalkeepers Porter and Ranson could also receive callups at that level. Winger Zecevic John will also be hopeful of involvement with the U21s.
**First years** – This list is provisional and not yet fully confirmed.
**Brando Bailey-Joseph:** A winger who was one of the key players for the U18s last season while still a schoolboy, he has much flair.
**Marley Frohock:** Exciting forward with clever movement.
**Callan Hamill:** New signing from St. Johnstone who can play at right-back or centre-back.
**Maalik Hashi:** Midfielder with excellent technique and good leadership qualities. Has already featured for the U21s.
**Josiah King:** England youth international right-back who gets forward to good effect.
**Teshaun Murisa:** Midfielder who already has much U18s experience and is very calm in possession.
**Abraham Owusu-Gyasi:** Another right-back – he is impressive technically.
**Bowen Phillips:** Midfielder who relishes pushing forwards.
**Marli Salmon:** Defender who is extremely highly rated and already has experience of U21 football.
**Saurap Sampang:** Talented midfielder who is a good passer. Came all the way through the Hale End system and has been called up to U21 squad.
**Patrick Stachow:** Reads the game very well and can play at centre-back or left-back.
**Josh Tahou:** Left-back with impressive close control.
**Jack Talbot:** Goalkeeper with good reflexes.
**Schoolboys**
Max Dowman was a key figure for the U18s last season but is now expected to feature at higher levels.
U16 winger Kyran Thompson is training with the U18s, which suggests that he could be fast-tracked.
Other schoolboys who have already been called up to the U18s include Joshua Sesay, Theo Odaji-Ukueku, Jack Tomlin and U15 goalkeeper Charlie Phillips.
**Potential strongest U18 team – FA Youth Cup**
Porter
Julienne-Salmon-Onyekachukwu-Ogunnaike
Ibrahim
Dowman-Marciniak
Zecevic John-Harriman Annous-O’Neill
**Possible U18 league team**
Talbot
Hamill-Onyekachukwu-Chapman-Ogunnaike
Murisa
Julienne-Marciniak
O’Neill-Frohock-Bailey Joseph
Subs: Tomlin, King, Hashi, Sampang, Thompson.
Other options: Owusu-Gyasi, B. Phillips, Stachow, Tahou.
Sesay, Odaji-Ukueku, C. Phillips.