Arsenal hope Ceadach O’Neill can become a first-team success after Mikel Arteta praised the highly rated teenager ahead of a potential competitive debut.
The 18-year-old forward could feature when the Gunners face Fleetwood Town in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup fourth-round tie.
O’Neill has impressed during his rapid rise through the Arsenal academy ranks and is poised to earn a first-team appearance.
He has emerged as a key prospect for Arsenal, and manager Mikel Arteta likes what he sees.
The North Londoners have been targeting young British and Northern Irish talent because Brexit hampered recruiting teenagers from European Union countries.
Arsenal are eager to see that strategy deliver tangible results.
They hope O’Neill can establish himself in Arteta’s senior squad or eventually command a significant transfer fee.
The Northern Ireland international has already caught the manager’s attention. Arteta played him in pre-season friendlies against Girona and Real Betis.
He then scored in a behind-closed-doors match against MK Dons. He was also named among the substitutes for Arsenal’s Champions League victory over Lille.
O’Neill enjoyed an impressive 2025/26 campaign, finishing as the club’s leading academy goalscorer with 18 strikes in 30 appearances across three age groups.
His versatility could also prove valuable. The youngster can operate on either wing, as a false nine or in an attacking midfield role.
With Bukayo Saka sidelined and Christos Tzolis recovering from injury, opportunities could open up for the youngster to strut his stuff.
Arteta has already made his feelings clear about the teenager’s potential.
“I’ve been really impressed with him,” the Arsenal boss said.
“For his age, he’s really mature, really focused, and he has tremendous quality.
“He’s a player that we have big hopes with and we just need to develop him in the right way.”
O’Neill joined Arsenal in March 2024 after impressing during a trial, following his senior debut for Linfield at just 15.
He signed his first professional contract with the Gunners in April 2025. He has earned four senior caps for Northern Ireland.