Arsenal
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Arsenal youngster Andre Harriman-Annous has been spotted training with the first team at London Colney ahead of Tuesday night’s UEFA Champions League showdown with Slavia Prague. The 17-year-old forward’s inclusion comes as Mikel Arteta contends with a growing injury crisis that has left the Gunners light on attacking options.
The Hale End graduate, who made his senior debut against Brighton last week, could be set for another major milestone with a potential European appearance. Harriman-Annous has been one of Arsenal’s standout performers at youth level this season, scoring three goals in as many U-21 matches and earning praise for his strength, intelligent link-up play, and composed finishing.
His rapid rise comes at a time of real need for Arteta’s side. Summer signing Viktor Gyokeres missed Monday’s session after picking up a knock during the 2-0 win over Burnley, while Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus remain sidelined with ongoing knee and ACL issues respectively.
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Speaking on Monday ahead of the game, Arteta said: “He’s definitely not available,” he confirmed. “He hasn’t trained today, and we need to do some more tests and scans in the next few days to understand the extent of the injury, but for this game he’s not available.
Highly rated 17-year-old Andre Harriman-Annous trained with the first Arsenal team today ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League game.
Mikel Arteta currently has no other centre forward available with Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus all out injured. pic.twitter.com/bLsV2k6Nqn
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) November 3, 2025
“I am concerned because he hasn’t had many muscular issues and he had to leave the pitch. He was feeling something and that’s obviously never a good sign. Especially for a player that is very, very explosive, so we are digging in a little bit more to understand where we are in terms of the injury and we will announce it when we know more.”
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The absences leave Arsenal without a recognised centre-forward for the trip to the Fortuna Arena. The situation is further complicated by injuries to Gabriel Martinelli (muscular) and captain Martin Odegaard (knee), forcing Arteta to rely on several academy graduates to bolster his matchday squad.
Harriman-Annous impressed in his Premier League debut against Brighton, linking up neatly with his teammates. Fellow academy talents Charles Sagoe Jr. and Max Dowman also trained with the senior squad on Monday, highlighting Arsenal’s continued faith in their youth system during an injury-hit spell.
The Gunners currently sit fourth in the Champions League league phase with nine points from three matches. A victory in Prague would put them within touching distance of the knockout rounds.
For Harriman-Annous, a European debut would mark a remarkable rise and for Arsenal, his emergence could be the timely boost they need amid testing circumstances.
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