Yesterday, as is always the case at this time of year, the list of Arsenal academy players who will be leaving when their contracts expire at the end of the month was announced.
Amongst them was Alexei Rojas, with the goalkeeper, who has been called up by Colombia at various levels, set to see his association with Arsenal come to an end.
In 2021, when he was still a schoolboy, Rojas was seen as a goalkeeper with much potential and was selected to train with the senior squad.
Unfortunately, as the years went by, Rojas became more known for training than playing.
Last season he frequently supported the senior squad as the fourth-choice goalkeeper but didn’t make a single competitive appearance at any level.
This campaign Rojas featured just once as he started against Cardiff in the EFL Trophy but his rustiness was apparent as he ended up being sent off.
Rojas later suffered an injury in training and wouldn’t play again for Arsenal at any level.
The 20-year-old, who was named on the bench twice for the first-team over the past couple of seasons, will be on the lookout for a new club but will now be fully aware of the importance of playing regularly.
Throughout this whole situation Rojas conducted himself very professionally but it is a shame to have seen a young player used in such a way.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird