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Saurap Sampang
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of last night’s pre-season friendly draw with Boreham Wood was the impact made by some of the younger players who featured as substitutes.
For the final half an hour David Horseman fielded an Arsenal U21 side that included eight players who are eligible to feature for the U18s this season.
Louis Zecevic John, who is now a full time member of the U21 squad, gave a good account of himself but there were also plenty of younger prospects who caught the eye.
Midfielders Maalik Hashi and Bowen Phillips, for instance, added vibrancy to proceedings with their flair. Phillips, indeed, managed to get on the scoresheet with an excellent goal.
Another midfielder, Mikael Bonaventure Yetna, is still a schoolboy but didn’t look out of place and there were runouts too at centre-back for Patrick Stachow and new signing Daniel McCarron.
Saurap Sampang, a midfielder who can also play at right-back, featured in the latter position and showed good anticipation, with first year scholar Hakeem Abubakar fitting in well in the opposite full-back berth.
Up front Marley Frohock registered an assist on his U21s debut and the striker will be determined to make a major impact this season as he looks to earn a professional contract.
Of the second year scholars who featured, only Hashi already has a professional contract, with the others facing an important campaign in their development.
Last night was an excellent test and it will be intriguing to see how these players develop throughout the campaign as they look to break into the U21 setup on a regular basis.