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With the announcement of the club’s new scholarship intake we now have a greater indication of what Arsenal’s U18 squad will look like for the forthcoming campaign.
Firstly, here is a summary of the full-time players in that age group:
Second years: Arteta, Bailey-Joseph, Frohock, Hamill, Hashi, Lupinski, Murisa, Owusu-Gyasi, Phillips, Sampang, Salmon, Stachow, Tahou, Talbot
First years: Abubakar, Dowman, Mbala, McCarron, Emerson Nwaneri, Oba, Odaji-Ukueku, Pedro, Purdy, Sesay.
Of those, Dowman and Salmon will mainly be involved at higher levels so won’t be considered in this assessment.
Goalkeepers
It seems as if it will be a battle between second years Remi Lupinski and Jack Talbot to be the first-choice goalkeeper for the U18s. Given that he already has a professional contract, Lupinski may be preferred but both prospects are talented.
Defence
When back from injury, Callan Hamill, who captained the team at times last season, should be a key figure although he will also be targeting involvement with older age groups. Hamill can play at right-back or centre-back.
Abraham Owusu-Gyasi is a useful option at right-back or centre-back. Josiah King could become first-choice right-back when fit.
At centre-back Daniel McCarron and Patrick Stachow could form a partnership when Hamill is unavailable, although Angelinou Pedro is also highly rated.
Elyon Mbala is also capable of playing at centre-back but is mainly a left-back.
First year scholar Hakeem Abubakar will be looking to become the first-choice left-back but faces competition from Joshua Tahou and Mbala.
Midfield
Teshaun Murisa possesses a wealth of experience of U18 football but the defensive midfielder will be aiming to feature at higher levels as the season progresses. Theo Odaji-Ukueku is another option at the base of the midfield.
The likes of Maalik Hashi, Saurap Sampang, Emerson Nwaneri, Charlie Purdy and Bowen Phillips will be options in midfield, with the latter also capable of playing out wide.
Attack
Marley Frohock is likely to be the first-choice striker for the U18s, with Jayden Oba another option. Joshua Sesay can play up front or out wide.
On the right-wing, Brando Bailey-Joseph has suffered a significant injury according to Scouting Indoors. Therefore, Gabriel Arteta could get some playing time in that position although Nwaneri is also capable of playing there.
Expected new signing Axel Donczew could be an option as a left winger or in midfield.
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There are also some talented schoolboys who are ready to step up at U18 level if required having already previously been involved with the squad.
These include:
Charlie Phillips – U16 goalkeeper
Jaden Maghoma – U16 striker
Mikael Bonaventure Yetna – U16 midfielder
Zachary Van der Straaten – U16 defender
Luis Munoz – U15 winger/forward
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Possible Arsenal U18 squad 2026/27:
Lupinski
Talbot
King-Hamill-Stachow-Abubakar
Owusu Gyasi-McCarron-Pedro-Tahou/Mbala
Murisa
Bonaventure Yetna
Odaji Ukueku
Hashi-B. Phillips
Sampang-Purdy
Purdy
Emerson Nwaneri-Frohock-Donczew
Arteta/Bailey Joseph-Oba-Sesay
Other options: C. Phillips, Van der Straaten, Maghoma, Munoz.