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With 16 members of the first-team squad at the World Cup, there could be plenty of opportunities for Arsenal academy players to impress with the senior side in pre-season.
Arsenal’s pre-season plans remain unclear aside from the friendly against Real Betis on August 5th and the Community Shield clash against Manchester City in Wales nine days later.
Whichever fixtures are arranged, it seems likely that Mikel Arteta will have to call upon a large amount of academy players, especially early in pre-season.
Firstly, the following 16 players have been selected for the World Cup: Raya, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Saka, Martinelli, Havertz, Madueke, Gyokeres, Saliba, Trossard, Eze, Odegaard, Merino and Timber.
That means that the following players should be available from the start of pre-season: Kepa, Setford, Mosquera, Lewis-Skelly, Jesus, Norgaard, Vieira, Nelson, Calafiori, Dowman, Salmon and Ethan Nwaneri.
Ben White, meanwhile, is injured but will hope to be available from the early stages of pre-season.
With regards to the available players, some of those are candidates for moves elsewhere, especially in the case of Fabio Vieira.
So, which youngsters may be required?
Two goalkeepers could be needed to support Kepa and Tommy Setford. These could possibly be Khari Ranson and either Remy Mitchell or Jack Porter.
Some defensive cover is also required. Ismeal Kabia was previously mainly a winger but gained some experience at right-back while on loan at Shrewsbury Town.
Marcell Washington could provide an option at left-back, while Josh Ogunnaike, if he accepts the club’s offer of a professional contract, can be called upon at centre-back or left-back.
There may also be a gap for a right-sided centre-back but it is unclear who will fill it as Brayden Clarke could miss the start of pre-season due to the U19 European Championship while Callan Hamill is recovering from injury.
Jaden Dixon, who can also play at right-back, may be an option there but it remains to be seen if he will be fit in time for pre-season having suffered an injury towards the end of the last campaign.
In midfield, Ife Ibrahim has already made his senior debut and will be looking to gain further experience, while Louie Copley is back at the club following his loan spell at Crawley Town.
If Vieira departs permanently then there could be an opening for a midfielder, such as the versatile Ceadach O’Neill, who is now a senior international with Northern Ireland.
Out wide, Brando Bailey-Joseph will be a candidate to be called up after making his senior debut last season.
Andre Harriman-Annous, who has also already played for the first-team, offers versatility in attack, with Evan Mooney also in contention to be called up.
Midfielders Demiane Agustien and Theo Julienne could also be under consideration depending on the availability of others.