Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta gave an opportunity to his academy options in midweek by handing full debuts to Andre Harriman-Annous and Max Dowman in a win over Brighton in the Carabao Cup.
The Gunners have a record of using the Carabao Cup to bring in their young talent, as the likes of Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly have used it as a launchpad in recent seasons.
For Max Dowman, it was a full debut that came with plenty of expectation after a year of rising through the ranks.
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Perhaps slightly less expected was an opportunity for Andre Harriman-Annous to shine, as the 17-year-old was given a first appearance, which left many Arsenal fans impressed.
Arsenal v Brighton & Hove Albion - Carabao Cup Fourth Round
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Mikel Arteta felt the time was right for Andre Harriman-Annous’ Arsenal debut
With something of a surprise debut for Andre Harriman-Annous, there is plenty to build on for the youngster.
The Arsenal academy striker showed plenty of endeavour and even had an opportunity to score, which was parried to Bukayo Saka for the second goal on the night.
It’s not always clear exactly why or when a decision is made to give a youngster their first start, but for Mikel Arteta, the decision to play Harriman-Annous was a gut feeling.
Speaking in the press conference after Arsenal’s win over Brighton, he said: “First of all, how much he [Harriman-Annous] wants it. Giving us the option to pick him, today I felt it was the right context.”
It wasn’t an easy game to be thrown in, given the Premier League opposition the youngster came up against.
However, it paid off with a positive performance, while Arsenal walked away without any fresh injury concerns.
Arsenal v Brighton & Hove Albion - Carabao Cup Fourth Round
Photo by Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Mikel Arteta discusses missed opportunity for first Andre Harriman-Annous goal
A win for Arsenal was topped off by a decent performance and some impressive moments for the academy youngsters.
Perhaps the only thing that could’ve made it sweeter was a goal or two for those youth stars who were given a chance.
Dowman had a few opportunities in front of goal, though none of them quite as clear-cut as the one for Harriman-Annous.
The striker was fed through on goal in the second half, with his effort saved and parried into the path of Saka to double the lead.
On the chance, Arteta said: “It was a shame Andre didn’t take the chance one vs one because it would have been an amazing moment.”
The 17-year-old did no harm to his chances of playing again in the future, however, as he is still one for the future.