Mikel Arteta calls up 17-year-old Arsenal gem likened to Paul Pogba to training pre-Porto

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been putting his players through their paces ahead of their long-awaited return to Champions League action.

The Gunners are in last-16 first-leg action on Wednesday night, taking on Porto at the Estadio do Dragao.

On Tuesday, the Arsenal media team published pictures of their players in training ahead of the big European night.

A number of Hale End stars were pictures in the session, including 17-year-old midfielder Ayden Heaven.

Arsenal talent Ayden Heaven – versatile defender and midfielder

Heaven joined the Arsenal setup in 2019 and was part of the Gunners’ 2023 intake, as per Gunners youth team expert Jeorge Bird.

The 17-year-old was previously at West Ham United’s academy, but they let him go at age 12.

Heaven is a versatile talent who has been featuring in a number of positions for the Arsenal youth squads, including defence and the left wing.

However, Bird reported that Heaven is ‘most effective in midfield, where he can surge forward to excellent effect,’ and also said there had been comparisons to Paul Pogba.

This season, the 6ft 2in ace has made 21 appearances in all competitions for the Arsenal youth team, including six at Premier League 2 level.

For a 17-year-old to be playing in the Under-21s – not to mention training with the senior squad – suggests he’s a top talent.

It’s good to see Heaven – plus the likes of Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly – feature regularly in senior training, and it’ll be exciting to see how they all continue to develop.