Ife Ibrahim was amongst a host of Arsenal academy players to make the trip to La Manga with the first-team and the defensive midfielder will hope to have further involvement with the senior squad during the campaign.
Ibrahim has yet to make his competitive debut for the U21s, but the 17-year-old is highly thought of at the club and is excellent at breaking up play before distributing short, snappy passes to his team-mates.
Previously called up by England at U15 level, Ibrahim progressed through the ranks at Hale End prior to signing scholarship terms last summer.
Last season he was one of the most important players for the U18s as he featured prominently at that level, which included some encouraging displays in the FA Youth Cup.
There is competition for places at youth level, with Theo Julienne another excellent option in midfield for the U21s.
Julienne, who can also play at right-back, caught the eye as a young U21s side drew 2-2 with Boreham Wood in their opening pre-season friendly. It will be interesting to see who is called upon as the main defensive midfielder for the U21s when both Julienne and Ibrahim are available.
Ibrahim will hope to secure a place on the plane for the first-team’s upcoming tour of Asia but even if he isn’t involved in that trip he still seems set for a bright future.