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It was anticipated that there could be a significant amount of academy players involved with the Arsenal first-team in pre-season, although perhaps not quite to this scale.
With many senior players still on holiday following their involvement in the World Cup and others left out due to seemingly being earmarked for transfers, the vast majority of the Arsenal U21 squad were involved in the behind-closed-doors first-team friendly against MK Dons yesterday.
In fact, of the U21 squad the only outfield players not to feature were Jaden Dixon (who has just returned from injury), Archie Stevens, Louis Zecevic John and new signing Elijah Upson.
If Max Dowman and Marli Salmon are counted as first-team squad members, there were still no fewer than eleven academy players involved, many of whom were making their non-competitive senior debuts.
Although some World Cup stars could soon be available again, it is likely that a large contingent of academy players will remain with the squad ahead of the first official pre-season friendly against Girona.
Here’s a brief summary of the academy players that featured yesterday.
Louie Copley – Age: 19
The midfielder captained Arsenal U21s in the first half of last season before joining Crawley on loan. He filled in at right-back as he started against MK Dons.
Josh Ogunnaike – Age: 18
A defender with good attacking qualities, he can play at left-back or centre-back. Ogunnaike recently signed his first professional contract and regularly trained with the first-team towards the end of last season.
Theo Julienne – Age: 18
An exciting prospect, Julienne can play at right-back or in midfield and has a good understanding of the game.
Brayden Clarke – Age: 19
A Wales youth international, Clarke joined Arsenal in 2024 and was named on the bench for the Premier League game against Bournemouth in 2025. Mainly a centre-back, he can also play at right-back.
Marcell Washington – Age: 18
The left-back, who was previously at Chelsea, has built up a lot of experience at U21 level and relishes pushing forwards.
Ife Ibrahim – Age: 18
A defensive midfielder who progressed through the ranks at Hale End, he made his senior debut last season as a substitute against Kairat Almaty in the Champions League.
Demiane Agustien – Age: 18
Dutch youth international Agustien provided an assist against MK Dons on his non-competitive senior debut. Usually deployed as a creative midfielder he is entering his second season at the club after previously playing for Derby County.
Ceadach O’Neill – Age: 18
Already a senior international for Northern Ireland, O’Neill managed to find the net against MK Dons. He can play as a winger, midfielder or forward and was named on the bench twice for the first-team last season.
Andre Harriman-Annous – Age: 18
The captain in the second half yesterday, Hale End product Harriman-Annous made two senior appearances last season. He can play as a striker but recently has frequently been used as a left winger.
Ismeal Kabia – Age: 20
Hard-working winger Kabia impressed last season while on loan at Shrewsbury Town, where he also played at right-back at times. He made his senior debut for Arsenal against Bolton in the Carabao Cup in 2024.
Evan Mooney – Age: 18
The Scotland youth international forward joined Arsenal from St. Mirren in the Winter transfer window and has featured prominently for the U21s.