Four current academy stars will feature in our Champions League squad to face Kairat Almaty this evening.
Brando Bailey-Joseph, Ife Ibrahim, Jack Porter and Marli Salmon have all been included on the bench in Mikel Arteta's squad as we look to round off our league phase campaign with an eighth straight victory.
So ahead of our match in N5, lets take a deeper look at the quartet of academy products!
brando bailey-joseph
Signing a two-year scholarship, first professional contract and making a senior matchday squad, all in the space of 7 months, it's been quite the ride for exciting winger Brando Bailey-Joseph.
Brando, 17, has been with us since he was just six years old, spending more than 60 per cent of his life within the Arsenal academy as he made his way through the age ranges.
Looking up to Ebere Eze, Brando is an explosive winger who has impressed in the UEFA Youth League, nettingin our opening contest against Athletic Club. Across under-18s, 19s and 21s, Brando has nine goals in 22 appearances.
Read more Brando Bailey-Joseph signs professional contract
ife ibrahim
Just days ago, Ife Ibrahim signed his first professional contract with us, and now, he's in his first-ever senior matchday squad.
Signing with our pre-academy at just seven years old, Ife has been with Arsenal for more than a decade, playing across all age groups before being selected for our matchday squad tonight.
No player made more under-18 appearances last season than Ife and the midfield dynamo has brought that into the 2025/26 campaign, playing the full 90 minutes in our 4-2 win over Bayern Munich under-19s in the UEFA Youth League. In 25/26, Ife has 17 appearances across the age ranges.
Read more Ife Ibrahim signs first professional contract
jack porter
In September 2024, Jack Porter made history by becoming our youngest ever starter as we defeated Bolton Wanderers 5-1 in the Carabao Cup third round.
Having started his football life as a midfielder, Jack played just 10 times between the sticks before being picked up by us as a 12-year-old.
Jack was just 16 years and 72 days old when he made his debut in the win over the Trotters. Since then, Jack has signed his first professional contract in August 2025, played a host of matches in this season's UEFA Youth League and represented England at the under-17 World Cup in Qatar last year.
Read more History-maker Porter signs professional contract
marli salmon
Supporters will be somewhat familiar to versatile defender Marli Salmon, who is our fourth academy star in tonight's squad.
The youngster signed his scholarship contract with us last summer, having progressed through the ranks after joining Hale End in the under-11s.
Marli's first taste of Emirates Stadium action came in the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals last season against Manchester United.
Since then, Marli has made his debut for Mikel Arteta's side, coming on as a substitute in the UEFA Champions League against Club Brugge in December. The 16-year-old then made his second appearance for us in our 4-1 win over Portsmouth in the FA Cup third round.
Read more Marli Salmon makes Arsenal European history
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