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Former Arsenal academy goalkeeper Remy Mitchell has made a surprise return to the club, joining the Under-18 squad for training nearly three years after his departure in 2022, according to academy expert Jeorge Bird.
Now 21, Mitchell was spotted at Arsenal’s Hale End training base this week, raising questions among supporters about a possible comeback. However, sources indicate his involvement is strictly temporary and for fitness purposes, with no plans for a permanent return.
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Mitchell first joined Arsenal at the age of eight and made headlines in 2018 when he played a full U18 match at just 13 years old, a 4-2 win over Aston Villa. Over the next few years, he became a regular for the U18s, making 25 appearances, including 17 in the 2021/22 season where he kept six clean sheets and captained the side in a commanding 5-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Remy Mitchell trained with the club’s U18 squad today.
Mitchell has played for Swansea, Haringey and Aylesbury United since leaving Arsenal.
Image: Arsenal pic.twitter.com/eaDbFk33ju
— Jeorge Bird (@jeorgebird) June 30, 2025
Despite his promise, Arsenal did not offer Mitchell a professional deal in 2022. He subsequently joined Swansea City on a two-year contract. Most recently, Mitchell played in the lower tiers of English football, featuring for Haringey Borough and later Aylesbury United, where he made three appearances during a short loan spell last season.
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Although Mitchell is no longer eligible to feature in U18 matches due to his age, his return is believed to be a goodwill gesture from Arsenal to allow him to stay fit during the off-season while helping mentor the club’s young goalkeepers during pre-season.
Under-18 head coach Adam Birchall has begun preparations for the 2025/26 campaign, with Mitchell training alongside prospects like Brando Bailey-Joseph and Marley Frohock. The Hale End academy remains a central part of Arsenal’s long-term vision, with the club recently promoting head of recruitment James Ellis to technical director and working to secure the future of young talents such as Ethan Nwaneri, who is attracting interest from several top clubs.
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