Hard-working midfielder Louie Copley could soon be set for his first competitive callup to the Arsenal first-team squad.
Copley joined Arsenal as a schoolboy in 2019 having previously been at West Ham’s academy and made an impact at Hale End prior to signing scholarship terms in 2023.
A professional contract followed last summer, with Copley subsequently travelling with the first-team squad for their pre-season tour of Asia.
Although he didn’t get on the pitch, Copley has remained close to the squad and was the extra man for the Carabao Cup tie at home to Brighton earlier this season.
Copley has established himself as the captain for Arsenal’s U21 team and has also worn the armband at U19 level in the UEFA Youth League.
Although he is capable of playing deep in midfield, the 19-year-old usually operates as a box-to-box midfielder and regularly makes runs into the final third.
A player who is strong physically for his age, Copley uses his body well to shield possession and is effective at winning duels.
In total Copley played 38 times for the U18s and scored five goals, with the highlight perhaps coming when he found the net against Manchester United in the FA Youth Cup at Emirates Stadium last season having been deployed on the right wing.
Copley suffered a setback earlier this season when he was sent off for the U19s against Olympiacos but he responded by scoring a late equaliser for the U21s against West Ham in the next game.
The prospect will be looking to add more goals and assists to his game as the campaign develops.
His aforementioned physical qualities should mean that he is well suited to senior football when the opportunity eventually arises for him to go on loan.