We are delighted to introduce our 13 new scholars who will be joining us for the next two years.
Our newest recruits, along with family and friends, signed their scholarships at Emirates Stadium on a special night in N5. Accompanying them at our home ground was our Academy Manager Per Mertesacker, Head of Player Care Mark Walter, as well as under-18s Head Coach Adam Birchall, who will be guiding them through their development from Hale End to Sobha Realty Training Centre.
Reflecting on a big night for our academy, Per said: “It's a really exciting occasion for all of us, for staff, parents and players. We do this at Emirates because hopefully this could be their reality fairly quickly. We want to make sure we are celebrating their moment, individually, by signing their scholarships here.
"It's really exciting for every scholar who enters here. We've got the best environment for any youngster that is an aspiring footballer because we believe in people, we believe in the strengths of people which makes them better players.
"Here, you also have the chance of becoming professionals and that's their dream, that's what they're all aspiring to be, footballers one day. We believe with the staff and everyone involved we have the best environment for them to do so."
With our latest batch of starlets coming through from Hale End, here’s an introduction to each player and what to look out for in the years to come.
### Jack Talbot
Jack Talbot's journey with us began in May 2015 at just six years old. Comfortable with the ball at his feet and with superb reactions, Jack is delighted to be continuing his Arsenal journey: "It's a very special moment for me and my family to be signing my contract at the Emirates. The values it has as a club and is very focused on the player, as well as the football, it's the best place to develop as a young footballer."
### Marli Salmon
The gifted centre-back joined us in the under-11s and has progressed through the ranks at Hale End to signing his scholarship. A ball-playing centre-half with a love for defending, Marli has already had a taste of playing in N5, turning out in the FA Youth Cup against Manchester United. Speaking about his inspirations, he said: "I look up to William Saliba, he's a good player. There are a lot of attributes that match up with me so I look up to him."
### Patrick Stachow
A left-sided centre half with a love for defending the box, Patrick Stachow is also a set piece threat. Having also been called up to both England and Poland at under-16 level, the future looks bright for Patrick, who joined us in March 2023.
### Joshua Tahou
Having made his debut for the under-18s at Emirates Stadium against Manchester United in the FA Youth Cup, Joshua Tahou is on the up. An electric left-back with an ability to dominate his battles both defensively and offensively, Joshua joined the club in June 2023.
### Abraham Owusu-Gyasi
Able to operate across the back line and with a wily tenacity of a true centre-back, Abraham Owusu-Gyasi has been with us for the last five years. Describing his style of play as he signed his scholarship, he said: "It's a special day for everyone, it's an amazing achievement for everyone here. It's been a great time, I've had so many great memories. I'm a leader on the pitch and I try to drive myself and people around me to get the best out of each other."
### Josiah King
Josiah King is an explosive full-back that is able to dominate his opponents with his trickery, guile and pace. He's had a knack of adding crucial goals and assists throughout his time in Hale End and having made his debut with the under-18s last season, Josiah is now hoping to cement his place in the side for 2025/26.
### Teshaun Murisa
A central midfielder that joined in 2015, Teshaun is able to take the ball under pressure and link the play around him as well as breaking up play. Recalling his Arsenal journey and his inspirations, he said: "It means a lot to me because I've been at the club since I was six years old, I'm an Arsenal fan, so being able to sign my scholarship is a really big moment. The way Declan Rice manages himself and looks out for the younger academy players, that aspect is what I really look up to, as well as on the pitch."
### Maalik Hashi
Creative midfielder Maalik Hashi has shown he has an eye for goal already in 2025/26, scoring twice in our first two pre-season fixtures for the under-21s against Boreham Wood and St Albans. Maalik joined us in December 2022 and made seven appearances across the under-18s and under-21s in 2024/25.
### Saurap Sampang
Aspiring to be like Declan Rice, Saurap Sampang is a box-to-box midfielder who helps connect the defence and the attack. Saurap has been with us since he was eight years old and is now excited for the challenges to come. He said: "It's a special day today and I'm looking to the future. It means so much to me, to see that i'm getting closer to the first team, but i know i need to work hard for that. I've started since under-8s, the club trusts me which gives me confidence going forward."
### Bowen Phillips
An attacking midfielder with bundles of energy, Bowen Phillips is another central player to make the grade this year. Joining us from West Ham United in 2023, Phillips was part of the under-16 side that won the Premier League Cup last season to finish his Hale End experience on a high. "It's a great achievement and I'm excited to get started," he said. "I'm constantly trying to move the ball up the pitch and trying to create goals, hopefully i can continue to do that this season and hopefully be around the first team as much as possible."
### Brando Bailey-Joseph
A left winger who loves to take on his man, Brando has been with us since he was six years old and is continuing his journey for another two years. The winger is an England youth team international and also featured in the UEFA Youth League against Shakhtar Donetsk in 2024/25.
### Marley Frohock
Marley was given the good news that he'd be joining us as a 14-year-old by none other than Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny following a successful trial. A centre-forward with an ability to pop up with a big goal, Marley was on target as we picked up the Premier League Cup last season. After signing his deal, he said: "It's an incredible achievement. I look up to Kai Havertz, I love his hold up play and his elegance on the pitch. My aim is to be a starter for the under-18s next season and push on as far as I can."
### Callan Hamill
Callan is a talented right-back from Scotland who loves nothing more than drive forward and cross the ball with precision. The full-back already has Scotland under-17 experience as well as playing for St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership last season against Dundee.
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