Arsenal's preparations for the 2023/24 campaign began at the beginning of the week with several senior players reporting to London Colney for pre-season training.
Whilst across day one and two the likes of William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, Oleksandr Zinchenko and some recalled loanees all went through medical screenings and strength tests in the gym as well as going outside for a light session, a good few first-team stars haven't returned yet.
Not to worry though as the reason for their absences is due to being on international duty last month which in turn has paved the way for Mikel Arteta to boost the numbers in training by calling up a host of the club's youngsters and he could very well hand out some opportunities with the Gunners' first pre-season fixture against Nurnberg just around the corner.
So, which Arsenal youngsters have been spotted out on the training pitch at London Colney so far this week? football.london takes a look below and they look to catch the Spaniard's eye in the hope of featuring for the senior squad during pre-season.
Lino Sousa
Interestingly, Lino Sousa was the only academy player involved in pre-season training on the first day back and he was sporting a new number on his gear too. Last season he had 96 on the back of his shirt but returned on Monday wearing 72 as he trained with the first-team squad.
A promising left-back, the teenager's chances of getting some minutes against Nurnberg next Thursday appear to be quite high with Kieran Tierney among those players set to return to training over the weekend so perhaps he could share a half each with Zinchenko in Germany.
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Amario Cozier-Duberry
Last season the 18-year-old experienced plenty of Arsenal matchday squads at senior level but is still awaiting his competitive debut having been an unused substitute a grand total of six times across all competitions. His chances of a breakthrough in the upcoming campaign are largely dependent on another forward being recruited in the summer transfer window.
Still, Cozier-Duberry has been in first-team training this week and could benefit from Bukayo Saka's late return to earn a call-up to the squad that travels to Germany.
Reuell Walters
A year ago, Walters was somewhat of a surprise name in Arsenal's starting line-up against Nurnberg as he was handed an opportunity in defence alongside Hector Bellerin, Pablo Mari and Kieran Tierney. It could be that the teenager repeats the trick next week as Takehiro Tomiyasu is eased back following an injury lay-off.
Omar Rekik
After two loan spells last season, Omar Rekik is back at Arsenal. An arrival from Hertha Berlin in January 2021, the defender actually made his non-competitive senior debut in a pre-season friendly against Hibernian six months later and has often been involved in first-team training sessions.
The chances of a breakthrough do appear slim given he's behind Saliba, Benjamin White, Gabriel Magalhaes and Jakub Kiwior in the centre-back pecking order. Furthermore, the imminent arrival of Jurrien Timber from Ajax doesn't help his cause and he really needs to be playing next season if he's to make the Tunisia squad for the Africa Cup of Nations tournament that takes place in January 2024.
Mauro Bandeira
With Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Thomas Partey, Jorginho and Fabio Vieira all returning late and Emile Smith Rowe still away on international duty, the Gunners will be short of options in the middle of the park and therefore Mauro Bandeira could be given a chance.
Having said that, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Jack Henry-Francis and Ethan Nwaneri - fresh off signing scholarship terms with Arsenal ahead of the new season - have also trained with the first-team squad this week so perhaps they too have a chance of travelling to Germany and getting some minutes under their belts.
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