Sport nationArsenal flop who was one of Mikel Arteta’s first signings admits he massively regrets joining club
Arsenal flop who was one of Mikel Arteta’s first signings admits he massively regrets joining club
One of Mikel Arteta’s first ever signings as Arsenal boss admitted he regrets signing for the north London club.
When a club like the Gunners come knocking, it can be difficult to say no. However, former Chelsea winger Willian wishes that’s exactly what he’d done back in 2020.
Cast your minds back to a darker time in Arsenal’s recent history, when Mikel Arteta had just taken charge of the club after an eighth placed finish in the Premier League.
The Spaniard decided to do business with cross-city rivals Chelsea and sign Willian to help bolster his attacking line. However, the winger’s move to the Emirates turned out to be nothing short of a disaster.
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The Brazilian registered just one goal in 25 Premier League appearances for the Gunners and was regularly the target of abuse from supporters for his below par performances.
Opening up on his time at the club, Willian told Sky Sports that he regretted leaving Chelsea for Arsenal.
“Yeah, I wish I’d never left,” he admitted. “Of course, it’s easy to say something now, but when I stop to think about the whole situation then yeah, I say to myself I wish I’d never left.”
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The following season, Willian signed for Corinthians, where he tried to rediscover his form away from England.
He has since returned to London and established himself as a regular at Fulham, producing five goals and five assists in the top-flight last term.
“I’m happy now at Fulham,” the 35-year-old continued. “I’m enjoying myself there, so this is life.”
“They [Arsenal] are flying now. I don’t know, I think I came while it was changing a lot. I was excited when I signed with them, I was training hard but it just didn’t work.”
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During a separate interview on Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel Five the same year, Willian revealed he asked his agent if he could leave Arsenal just three months after joining.
“I wasn’t happy, I wasn’t happy,” he explained. “That’s why I didn’t perform. I don’t want to go into the details.
“When I arrived there I was happy, from the beginning I was motivated, I wanted to do well – new club, new mates, new project.
“But after three months, I said to my agent: ‘Please, I want to go’. I don’t want to speak bad about the club, because it is a big club. Arsenal has a big history.
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“In football, big players played there before as well. But it didn’t work, it didn’t work. It was, of course, the most difficult time of my career.
“It was big money that I gave up. But sometimes money is not the most important thing in life. I think you need to be happy, get pleasure every day waking up in the morning to go to train. I wasn’t having that.
“So I said to myself, with my family, I cannot stay here, I am not happy here. I have to leave, find a way out, leave the club, because if I stay I am going to stay the same. For me, it’s unfair to stay in a place that you don’t want to stay just because of the money. For me, it was that.”
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Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Football, Premier League, Fulham, Transfers, Chelsea
Joe Adams
Former Arsenal player ‘cried for joy’ after sealing exit from Mikel Arteta’s side
Joe Adams
Published 12:40, 08 November 2023 GMT
| Last updated 12:40, 08 November 2023 GMT
Former Arsenal player ‘cried for joy’ after sealing exit from Mikel Arteta’s side
One former Arsenal player could be at risk of angering supporters after revealing he “cried for joy” upon sealing a move away from the club this summer.
The Gunners had a busy transfer window, adding the likes of Kai Havertz, Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and David Raya to their weaponry.
However, they have endured a difficult start to the new season following a number of injuries to the squad – with Mikel Arteta currently without a recognised No. 9 as he prepares to face Sevilla in the Champions League.
As a result, fans may point the finger towards the club’s decision to sell the likes of Granit Xhaka, who moved to Bayer Leverkusen in a €15m deal in July, after confirming he wanted to leave the Emirates.
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The Swiss international has had a bright start to life in Germany since making the switch, helping Xabi Alonso’s side reach the top of the Bundesliga.
Meanwhile, Xhaka has since lifted the lid on his Arsenal exit, admitting that he “cried for joy” upon making the move to the German club.
Speaking to Leverkusen’s own TV show “The Werkself Friend Book”, Xhaka was asked if he had ever cried tears joy, to which the midfielder replied (quotes via BILD): “Absolutely. I’m a very emotional person, I like to cry and I’m not ashamed of it.
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“Of course, I also cried for joy at times. For example, when I made my transfer here to Leverkusen. Of course I also cried tears of joy because I really wanted to go back. I think it’s also part of it as a person,”
Xhaka experienced an almighty redemption story in north London, having previously been the target of criticism when he was stripped of the captain’s armband after a public fall-out with the fanbase.
However, the arrival of Arteta saw a dramatic U-turn in the player’s Arsenal career, with Xhaka establishing himself as one of the club’s most important players during last season’s title charge.
SPORTbible are on WhatsApp! We’ve launched a dedicated news channel to send you the latest news, features and plenty more directly on WhatsApp and all you need to do to sign up is click through to our one-way broadcast channel here for ‘SPORTbible News’ to appear in the ‘Updates’ tab on your WhatsApp.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Granit Xhaka, Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Football, Bundesliga, Mikel Arteta
Joe Adams
“I wish I never left…” – Arsenal flop admits he massively regrets joining the Gunners
Chris Byfield
Published 14:04, 11 March 2023 GMT
| Last updated 14:46, 11 March 2023 GMT
“I wish I never left…” – Arsenal flop admits he massively regrets joining the Gunners
Former Arsenal player Willian has claimed he regrets signing for the north London club.
The Brazilian spent seven successful seasons at Chelsea, before moving to Arsenal on a free transfer in the summer of 2020.
Indeed, he left Chelsea for the Gunners after the Blues only offered him a two-year deal to stay at Stamford Bridge.
In contrast, Arsenal offered the winger three seasons at the Emirates. However a dismal spell there saw him leave in the summer of 2021 after just 12 months, to return to Brazil, signing for Corinthians.
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When asked by Sky Sports if he regretted leaving Chelsea for Arsenal, Willian admitted: “Yeah. I wish I’d never left. Yeah.
“Of course, it’s easy to say something now, but when I stop to think about the whole situation then yeah, I say to myself I wish I’d never left.
“But it’s life. I’m happy now at Fulham – enjoying myself there, so this is life.”
On his unsuccessful spell at Arsenal, the 34-year-old added: “They are flying now.
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“I don’t know, I think I came while it was changing a lot.
“I was excited when I signed with them, I was training hard but it just didn’t work.”
Willian ‘not happy’ at Arsenal
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In a throwback interview Willian admitted that he was not happy at Arsenal, and wanted to leave the club just three months into his stay.
“I wasn’t happy, I wasn’t happy. That’s why I didn’t perform. I don’t want to go into the details,” Willian told Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel Five in 2021.
“When I arrived there I was happy, from the beginning I was motivated, I wanted to do well – new club, new mates, new project.
“But after three months, I said to my agent: ‘Please, I want to go’. I don’t want to speak bad about the club, because it is a big club. Arsenal has a big history.
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“In football, big players played there before as well. But it didn’t work, it didn’t work. It was, of course, the most difficult time of my career.
“It was big money that I gave up. But sometimes money is not the most important thing in life. I think you need to be happy, get pleasure every day waking up in the morning to go to train. I wasn’t having that.
“So I said to myself, with my family, I cannot stay here, I am not happy here. I have to leave, find a way out, leave the club, because if I stay I am going to stay the same. For me, it’s unfair to stay in a place that you don’t want to stay just because of the money. For me, it was that.”
Former Arsenal player ‘cried for joy’ after sealing exit from Mikel Arteta’s side
One former Arsenal player could be at risk of angering supporters after revealing he “cried for joy” upon sealing a move away from the club this summer.
The Gunners had a busy transfer window, adding the likes of Kai Havertz, Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and David Raya to their weaponry.
However, they have endured a difficult start to the new season following a number of injuries to the squad – with Mikel Arteta currently without a recognised No. 9 as he prepares to face Sevilla in the Champions League.
As a result, fans may point the finger towards the club’s decision to sell the likes of Granit Xhaka, who moved to Bayer Leverkusen in a €15m deal in July, after confirming he wanted to leave the Emirates.
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The Swiss international has had a bright start to life in Germany since making the switch, helping Xabi Alonso’s side reach the top of the Bundesliga.
Meanwhile, Xhaka has since lifted the lid on his Arsenal exit, admitting that he “cried for joy” upon making the move to the German club.
Speaking to Leverkusen’s own TV show “The Werkself Friend Book”, Xhaka was asked if he had ever cried tears joy, to which the midfielder replied (quotes via BILD): “Absolutely. I’m a very emotional person, I like to cry and I’m not ashamed of it.
ADVERT
“Of course, I also cried for joy at times. For example, when I made my transfer here to Leverkusen. Of course I also cried tears of joy because I really wanted to go back. I think it’s also part of it as a person,”
Xhaka experienced an almighty redemption story in north London, having previously been the target of criticism when he was stripped of the captain’s armband after a public fall-out with the fanbase.
However, the arrival of Arteta saw a dramatic U-turn in the player’s Arsenal career, with Xhaka establishing himself as one of the club’s most important players during last season’s title charge.
Five Arsenal youngsters who could cement a spot in Mikel Arteta’s first-team squad in 2023
It has been a fine 2022 for youngsters at Arsenal as a number of players have established themselves as first-team stars, whilst others have continued to cement their reputations.
Bukayo Saka was one of England’s best players at the World Cup in Qatar, off the back of a first half of the Premier League season that saw him register four goals and six assists in just 14 games.
William Saliba, meanwhile, slotted in seamlessly at the centre of Arsenal’s defence following a loan spell at Marseille. Gabriel Martinelli netted five goals in 14 appearances, and earned a call-up to the Brazil World Cup squad.
And there was a league debut for 15-year-old Ethan Nwaneri – the youngest debutant in the history of Premier League.
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With 2023 on horizon, it would be no surprise to see even more young players given big opportunities by manager Mikel Arteta. Currently, a number of Gunners starlets are out on loan, hoping to push their cases for a chance to shine for the senior squad next season.
Let’s take a look at who could become part of Arteta’s squad in 2023.
Charlie Patino
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Charlie Patino is currently on loan at Blackpool, where he has made an impression during his first full season of senior football.
The Seasiders haven’t had the best start to the campaign – they sat in 22nd place and the Championship relegation zone after 23 games – Patino has been one of their star players.
He has two goals and two assists to his name, with Blackpool boss Michael Appleton praising the 19-year-old as ‘outstanding’.
As one of the top young players to come out of the Gunners academy in recent times, Patino will hope to make 2023 a big year.
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Ethan Nwaneri
The aforementioned Ethan Nwaneri made his senior debut against Brentford in September at the age of 15 years and 181 days.
Now the youngest player ever to represent Arsenal at senior level, he smashed the record previously set by Cesc Fabregas by almost a full year.
That underlines the faith Arteta has in the starlet, and he has featured in all four of Arsenal’s friendlies during the World Cup.
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He is yet to make his competitive debut at the Emirates Stadium – he was born after it opened in 2006 – but will hope to do so in 2023.
Folarin Balogun
Currently on loan at Ligue 1 side Reims, Folarin Balogun has smashed in eight goals in France’s top division this term.
There were even rumours of the 21-year-old striker being recalled by the Gunners following the knee injury suffered by Gabriel Jesus, but he looks likely to stay in France for the rest of the season, as per Fabrizio Romano.
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Balogun will hope to follow in Saliba’s footsteps by successfully integrating into the Arsenal first team following a loan spell in France – and if he can carry on his goalscoring form, he will surely have a strong chance of doing just that.
Marcelo Flores
Marcelo Flores was signed by Arsenal in 2019, and despite already being a Mexico senior international, has yet to make his senior debut at club level.
The attacking midfielder, who can also play on the wing, is currently on loan at Real Oviedo in the Spanish second division.
He has impressed club chiefs, whilst former Barcelona and Mexico boss Gerardo Martino described the 18-year-old as ‘everything you want in a player’ back in June.
Upon his anticipated return to the Gunners, Flores will hope to break into Arteta’s first-team squad next season.
Catalin Cirjan
Another young player that has featured during Arsenal’s mid-season Dubai training camp, Catalin Cirjan has impressed Gunners fans in the U21 side this season.
He signed a new contract with the club in May, shortly after recovering from a serious knee injury that forced him to miss over a year of action.
He scored four goals in four youth team games last month, and went on to feature from the bench in the friendly against Lyon in Dubai.
The 20-year-old Romanian could get his chance in the first team over the coming months, with the youngster still awaiting his senior competitive debut.
From 26-28th December, watch all 10 Premier League games live, including Aston Villa vs Liverpool, Arsenal vs West Ham, Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest and more. Watch for free with a 30-day trial to Prime!
Arsenal flop who was one of Mikel Arteta’s first signings admits he massively regrets joining club
Arsenal flop who was one of Mikel Arteta’s first signings admits he massively regrets joining club
One of Mikel Arteta’s first ever signings as Arsenal boss admitted he regrets signing for the north London club.
When a club like the Gunners come knocking, it can be difficult to say no. However, former Chelsea winger Willian wishes that’s exactly what he’d done back in 2020.
Cast your minds back to a darker time in Arsenal’s recent history, when Mikel Arteta had just taken charge of the club after an eighth placed finish in the Premier League.
The Spaniard decided to do business with cross-city rivals Chelsea and sign Willian to help bolster his attacking line. However, the winger’s move to the Emirates turned out to be nothing short of a disaster.
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The Brazilian registered just one goal in 25 Premier League appearances for the Gunners and was regularly the target of abuse from supporters for his below par performances.
Opening up on his time at the club, Willian told Sky Sports that he regretted leaving Chelsea for Arsenal.
“Yeah, I wish I’d never left,” he admitted. “Of course, it’s easy to say something now, but when I stop to think about the whole situation then yeah, I say to myself I wish I’d never left.”
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The following season, Willian signed for Corinthians, where he tried to rediscover his form away from England.
He has since returned to London and established himself as a regular at Fulham, producing five goals and five assists in the top-flight last term.
“I’m happy now at Fulham,” the 35-year-old continued. “I’m enjoying myself there, so this is life.”
“They [Arsenal] are flying now. I don’t know, I think I came while it was changing a lot. I was excited when I signed with them, I was training hard but it just didn’t work.”
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During a separate interview on Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel Five the same year, Willian revealed he asked his agent if he could leave Arsenal just three months after joining.
“I wasn’t happy, I wasn’t happy,” he explained. “That’s why I didn’t perform. I don’t want to go into the details.
“When I arrived there I was happy, from the beginning I was motivated, I wanted to do well – new club, new mates, new project.
“But after three months, I said to my agent: ‘Please, I want to go’. I don’t want to speak bad about the club, because it is a big club. Arsenal has a big history.
ADVERT
“In football, big players played there before as well. But it didn’t work, it didn’t work. It was, of course, the most difficult time of my career.
“It was big money that I gave up. But sometimes money is not the most important thing in life. I think you need to be happy, get pleasure every day waking up in the morning to go to train. I wasn’t having that.
“So I said to myself, with my family, I cannot stay here, I am not happy here. I have to leave, find a way out, leave the club, because if I stay I am going to stay the same. For me, it’s unfair to stay in a place that you don’t want to stay just because of the money. For me, it was that.”
SPORTbible are on WhatsApp! We’ve launched a dedicated news channel to send you the latest news, features and plenty more directly on WhatsApp and all you need to do to sign up is click through to our one-way broadcast channel here for ‘SPORTbible News’ to appear in the ‘Updates’ tab on your WhatsApp.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Football, Premier League, Fulham, Transfers, Chelsea
Joe Adams
Former Arsenal player ‘cried for joy’ after sealing exit from Mikel Arteta’s side
Joe Adams
Published 12:40, 08 November 2023 GMT
| Last updated 12:40, 08 November 2023 GMT
Former Arsenal player ‘cried for joy’ after sealing exit from Mikel Arteta’s side
One former Arsenal player could be at risk of angering supporters after revealing he “cried for joy” upon sealing a move away from the club this summer.
The Gunners had a busy transfer window, adding the likes of Kai Havertz, Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and David Raya to their weaponry.
However, they have endured a difficult start to the new season following a number of injuries to the squad – with Mikel Arteta currently without a recognised No. 9 as he prepares to face Sevilla in the Champions League.
As a result, fans may point the finger towards the club’s decision to sell the likes of Granit Xhaka, who moved to Bayer Leverkusen in a €15m deal in July, after confirming he wanted to leave the Emirates.
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The Swiss international has had a bright start to life in Germany since making the switch, helping Xabi Alonso’s side reach the top of the Bundesliga.
Meanwhile, Xhaka has since lifted the lid on his Arsenal exit, admitting that he “cried for joy” upon making the move to the German club.
Speaking to Leverkusen’s own TV show “The Werkself Friend Book”, Xhaka was asked if he had ever cried tears joy, to which the midfielder replied (quotes via BILD): “Absolutely. I’m a very emotional person, I like to cry and I’m not ashamed of it.
ADVERT
“Of course, I also cried for joy at times. For example, when I made my transfer here to Leverkusen. Of course I also cried tears of joy because I really wanted to go back. I think it’s also part of it as a person,”
Xhaka experienced an almighty redemption story in north London, having previously been the target of criticism when he was stripped of the captain’s armband after a public fall-out with the fanbase.
However, the arrival of Arteta saw a dramatic U-turn in the player’s Arsenal career, with Xhaka establishing himself as one of the club’s most important players during last season’s title charge.
SPORTbible are on WhatsApp! We’ve launched a dedicated news channel to send you the latest news, features and plenty more directly on WhatsApp and all you need to do to sign up is click through to our one-way broadcast channel here for ‘SPORTbible News’ to appear in the ‘Updates’ tab on your WhatsApp.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Granit Xhaka, Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Football, Bundesliga, Mikel Arteta
Joe Adams
“I wish I never left…” – Arsenal flop admits he massively regrets joining the Gunners
Chris Byfield
Published 14:04, 11 March 2023 GMT
| Last updated 14:46, 11 March 2023 GMT
“I wish I never left…” – Arsenal flop admits he massively regrets joining the Gunners
Former Arsenal player Willian has claimed he regrets signing for the north London club.
The Brazilian spent seven successful seasons at Chelsea, before moving to Arsenal on a free transfer in the summer of 2020.
Indeed, he left Chelsea for the Gunners after the Blues only offered him a two-year deal to stay at Stamford Bridge.
In contrast, Arsenal offered the winger three seasons at the Emirates. However a dismal spell there saw him leave in the summer of 2021 after just 12 months, to return to Brazil, signing for Corinthians.
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When asked by Sky Sports if he regretted leaving Chelsea for Arsenal, Willian admitted: “Yeah. I wish I’d never left. Yeah.
“Of course, it’s easy to say something now, but when I stop to think about the whole situation then yeah, I say to myself I wish I’d never left.
“But it’s life. I’m happy now at Fulham – enjoying myself there, so this is life.”
On his unsuccessful spell at Arsenal, the 34-year-old added: “They are flying now.
ADVERT
“I don’t know, I think I came while it was changing a lot.
“I was excited when I signed with them, I was training hard but it just didn’t work.”
Willian ‘not happy’ at Arsenal
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In a throwback interview Willian admitted that he was not happy at Arsenal, and wanted to leave the club just three months into his stay.
“I wasn’t happy, I wasn’t happy. That’s why I didn’t perform. I don’t want to go into the details,” Willian told Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel Five in 2021.
“When I arrived there I was happy, from the beginning I was motivated, I wanted to do well – new club, new mates, new project.
“But after three months, I said to my agent: ‘Please, I want to go’. I don’t want to speak bad about the club, because it is a big club. Arsenal has a big history.
ADVERT
“In football, big players played there before as well. But it didn’t work, it didn’t work. It was, of course, the most difficult time of my career.
“It was big money that I gave up. But sometimes money is not the most important thing in life. I think you need to be happy, get pleasure every day waking up in the morning to go to train. I wasn’t having that.
“So I said to myself, with my family, I cannot stay here, I am not happy here. I have to leave, find a way out, leave the club, because if I stay I am going to stay the same. For me, it’s unfair to stay in a place that you don’t want to stay just because of the money. For me, it was that.”
Former Arsenal player ‘cried for joy’ after sealing exit from Mikel Arteta’s side
One former Arsenal player could be at risk of angering supporters after revealing he “cried for joy” upon sealing a move away from the club this summer.
The Gunners had a busy transfer window, adding the likes of Kai Havertz, Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and David Raya to their weaponry.
However, they have endured a difficult start to the new season following a number of injuries to the squad – with Mikel Arteta currently without a recognised No. 9 as he prepares to face Sevilla in the Champions League.
As a result, fans may point the finger towards the club’s decision to sell the likes of Granit Xhaka, who moved to Bayer Leverkusen in a €15m deal in July, after confirming he wanted to leave the Emirates.
ADVERT
The Swiss international has had a bright start to life in Germany since making the switch, helping Xabi Alonso’s side reach the top of the Bundesliga.
Meanwhile, Xhaka has since lifted the lid on his Arsenal exit, admitting that he “cried for joy” upon making the move to the German club.
Speaking to Leverkusen’s own TV show “The Werkself Friend Book”, Xhaka was asked if he had ever cried tears joy, to which the midfielder replied (quotes via BILD): “Absolutely. I’m a very emotional person, I like to cry and I’m not ashamed of it.
ADVERT
“Of course, I also cried for joy at times. For example, when I made my transfer here to Leverkusen. Of course I also cried tears of joy because I really wanted to go back. I think it’s also part of it as a person,”
Xhaka experienced an almighty redemption story in north London, having previously been the target of criticism when he was stripped of the captain’s armband after a public fall-out with the fanbase.
However, the arrival of Arteta saw a dramatic U-turn in the player’s Arsenal career, with Xhaka establishing himself as one of the club’s most important players during last season’s title charge.
Five Arsenal youngsters who could cement a spot in Mikel Arteta’s first-team squad in 2023
It has been a fine 2022 for youngsters at Arsenal as a number of players have established themselves as first-team stars, whilst others have continued to cement their reputations.
Bukayo Saka was one of England’s best players at the World Cup in Qatar, off the back of a first half of the Premier League season that saw him register four goals and six assists in just 14 games.
William Saliba, meanwhile, slotted in seamlessly at the centre of Arsenal’s defence following a loan spell at Marseille. Gabriel Martinelli netted five goals in 14 appearances, and earned a call-up to the Brazil World Cup squad.
And there was a league debut for 15-year-old Ethan Nwaneri – the youngest debutant in the history of Premier League.
ADVERT
With 2023 on horizon, it would be no surprise to see even more young players given big opportunities by manager Mikel Arteta. Currently, a number of Gunners starlets are out on loan, hoping to push their cases for a chance to shine for the senior squad next season.
Let’s take a look at who could become part of Arteta’s squad in 2023.
Charlie Patino
ADVERT
Charlie Patino is currently on loan at Blackpool, where he has made an impression during his first full season of senior football.
The Seasiders haven’t had the best start to the campaign – they sat in 22nd place and the Championship relegation zone after 23 games – Patino has been one of their star players.
He has two goals and two assists to his name, with Blackpool boss Michael Appleton praising the 19-year-old as ‘outstanding’.
As one of the top young players to come out of the Gunners academy in recent times, Patino will hope to make 2023 a big year.
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Ethan Nwaneri
The aforementioned Ethan Nwaneri made his senior debut against Brentford in September at the age of 15 years and 181 days.
Now the youngest player ever to represent Arsenal at senior level, he smashed the record previously set by Cesc Fabregas by almost a full year.
That underlines the faith Arteta has in the starlet, and he has featured in all four of Arsenal’s friendlies during the World Cup.
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He is yet to make his competitive debut at the Emirates Stadium – he was born after it opened in 2006 – but will hope to do so in 2023.
Folarin Balogun
Currently on loan at Ligue 1 side Reims, Folarin Balogun has smashed in eight goals in France’s top division this term.
There were even rumours of the 21-year-old striker being recalled by the Gunners following the knee injury suffered by Gabriel Jesus, but he looks likely to stay in France for the rest of the season, as per Fabrizio Romano.
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Balogun will hope to follow in Saliba’s footsteps by successfully integrating into the Arsenal first team following a loan spell in France – and if he can carry on his goalscoring form, he will surely have a strong chance of doing just that.
Marcelo Flores
Marcelo Flores was signed by Arsenal in 2019, and despite already being a Mexico senior international, has yet to make his senior debut at club level.
The attacking midfielder, who can also play on the wing, is currently on loan at Real Oviedo in the Spanish second division.
He has impressed club chiefs, whilst former Barcelona and Mexico boss Gerardo Martino described the 18-year-old as ‘everything you want in a player’ back in June.
Upon his anticipated return to the Gunners, Flores will hope to break into Arteta’s first-team squad next season.
Catalin Cirjan
Another young player that has featured during Arsenal’s mid-season Dubai training camp, Catalin Cirjan has impressed Gunners fans in the U21 side this season.
He signed a new contract with the club in May, shortly after recovering from a serious knee injury that forced him to miss over a year of action.
He scored four goals in four youth team games last month, and went on to feature from the bench in the friendly against Lyon in Dubai.
The 20-year-old Romanian could get his chance in the first team over the coming months, with the youngster still awaiting his senior competitive debut.
From 26-28th December, watch all 10 Premier League games live, including Aston Villa vs Liverpool, Arsenal vs West Ham, Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest and more. Watch for free with a 30-day trial to Prime!
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