In preparation for tonight’s Champions League match against RC Lens, Arsenal manager has called up youngster Jack Henry-Francis to first team training.
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An ‘aggressive and tenacious’ midfielder, Arteta was closely monitoring the top prospects in the club’s academy.
Tonight, Arsenal will try to build on their successful start to the European season.
They’ll be aiming to win again on the road tonight after defeating PSV Eindhoven 4-0 in their season-opening Champions League match.
Thomas Partey’s appearance in practice gave Arsenal motivation leading up to today’s game.
The Ghanaian international, who started the season at right-back, has been absent for a number of weeks.
When he comes back to the side, it will be intriguing to see what position he plays.
Partey was moved into defense despite Declan Rice’s debut suggesting that he might not be in Mikel Arteta’s plans.
While Bukayo Saka participated due to an injury, Gabriel Martinelli was not present among the players who exercised.
In order to ensure that some of Arsenal’s young players participated in practice, Arteta called up Jack Henry-Francis.
The 20-year-old midfielder’s team includes outstanding players like Rice and Partey who can serve as role models for him.
It remains to be seen whether he will be selected above players like Jorginho and Mohamed Elneny.
Henry-Francis called up to Arsenal training
Arsenal now has one of the greatest academies in the country, with several young players vying for a place in the first squad.
Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly have generated a lot of buzz, but it’s probably too early in the season for them to play a regular role.
Although Henry-Francis hasn’t received a senior call-up just yet, performing well in preseason training with Arsenal’s first squad would only assist his case.
In just three appearances this season, the defensive midfielder has already scored in Premier League 2.
He also plays for Ireland’s Under-21 team, but he’s getting to the point in his career where, if Arteta doesn’t use him, he should consider moving out on loan.
