MIKEL ARTETA has included youngsters James Olayinka and Tim Akinola in first team training this week.
The academy pair have been testing themselves against those in the Gunners first team who are not away on international duty.
The 20-year-olds could even be in line to feature in Arteta’s match day squad for Saturday’s clash against Norwich.
With Granit Xhaka suspended after his red card against Manchester City, and Mohammed Elneny linked with a move to Galatasaray there is at least one spot available in Arteta’s squad.
And both midfielders have had their chance to impress while training with the first team.
Akinola joined Arsenal’s academy set-up from Huddersfield last summer and has played 27 times for the Gunners’ U23 squad.
He was expected to leave on loan during the transfer window in a bid for first team action.
But he could be set to get his chance for Arsenal sooner than he may have thought.
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Olayinka meanwhile signed his first professional contract for the Gunners in 2019.
The 20-year-old spent last season on loan at Southend in League Two, with a six month spell with Northampton Town before that.
He’s been part of the Arsenal first team squad once before and was an unused substitute in the 2020 Community Shield win against Liverpool.
And both midfielders have been training with Arteta’s first team this week as the Gunners boss looks to utilise the young talents at his disposal at London Colney.
His bottom of the table side host 19th place Norwich on Saturday, with the Gunners yet to even score in the Premier League so far this season.
Daniel Farke’s Norwich are one place ahead of the Gunners in the Premier League table on goals scored after finding the back of the net in their 2-1 home defeat to Leicester.
But with games against the Canaries and Burnley to come Arsenal fans will be hoping their side can climb up the table ahead of the mouthwatering North London derby clash against Tottenham later this month.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
