Arsenal signed Alexéi Rojas for their academy on a free transfer in 2019.
The 20-year-old climbed through the ranks and represented Arsenal at U18, U19 and U21 level, but is yet to make his debut for the first team. That hasn’t stopped the Arsenal youngster from representing Colombia U20s.
Rojas was part of the Colombia squad that finished third in the recently concluded U20 World Cup. He was an unused substitute in every fixture in the competition, causing frustration.
Colombia U20 manager César Torres aimed a dig at the stopper. He used Rojas being left out of the Gunners squad photo as an example to talk down the Arsenal man. [AS](https://chile.as.com/futbol/la-polemica-de-ultima-hora-que-empano-el-mundial-de-colombia-me-gustaria-decirle-a-la-gente-f202510-n/) in Chile have relayed the coach’s comments.
_“Here, there’s a starting goalkeeper who gets playing time, who’s a starter in our league,”_ he said.
_“Then there’s Alexéi, who’s from Arsenal, who’s never played. I selected the only game he’s played. He’s never played for his club, and if you look at the professional team photo, he’s not there. So, we have to explain that to people.”_
Arsenal “first in best league in world”
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AS in Chile got in touch with the Arsenal player to get his reaction after Torres’ comment. They say the goalkeeper made a ‘heartfelt statement’, to clear doubts over his place at the north London club.
_“In the last 24 hours, there have been some words circulating about the doubts about whether I am part of Arsenal’s professional squad or not,”_ he said.
_“When the photo of the Arsenal professional squad was taken, it was the week of October 16th. I was in Paraguay with the national team, thinking about this World Cup.”_
Rojas will return to Arsenal after being part of the Colombia U20 squad. The youngster says he will join Mikel Arteta’s squad.
_“I’m now returning to Arsenal to be in the first team, to continue learning and sharing with the best players and coaches in the world. To continue helping the team so we can go for more,”_ Rojas explained.
_“It’s a team that is first in the best league in the world, and we are going for the Premier League, the FA Cup, the Carabao Cup, and the Champions League. I’m a very firm member of that squad, and I am growing and contributing a lot every day.”_