Mikel Arteta calls up ‘powerful’ 20-year-old player to Arsenal first-team training before Sevilla clash

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Taylor Foran was a part of Arsenal’s first-team training session yesterday ahead of the game against Sevilla in the Champions League tonight.

The Gunners were busy at work at London Colney in preparation for the big game at the Emirates. A win will push Mikel Arteta‘s side a step closer to qualification, and the Arsenal boss will demand nothing else. Young Foran was seen rubbing shoulders with the seniors yesterday.

Taylor Foran called up to Arsenal’s first-team training

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta often gives opportunities to young players in training.

Just last week, ahead of the game against Newcastle United, young Bradley Ibrahim was called up to train with the first-team squad.

This week, Amario Cozier-Duberry was spotted in senior training, and along with him was 20-year-old central defender Taylor Foran yesterday.

The Englishman joined Arsenal all the way back in May 2012, when he was just nine years old. He came through the ranks at the academy and signed his first professional contract in July last year.

Foran, described as a ‘powerful’ defender by Arsenal’s official website, has a bright future ahead of him, and Arteta seems to have noticed that.

Joerge Bird has revealed that Foran was in first-team training yesterday ahead of the game against Sevilla.

Foran once played as a goalkeeper for Arsenal U23s

It’s always a special day for young players when they make their U23s debut, but Taylor Foran’s was more unique than most others.

The talented defender was on the bench in a game between Arsenal and Manchester City’s U23s. He was hoping to make his debut in the game, but instead of coming on as a defender, he was put in goal.

“We went 1-0 up through Nikolaj Moller in the sixth minute, but almost instantly after a ball was played over the top of our defence and Karl Hein knocked Felix Nmecha straight to the floor,” Foran told Arsenal.com.

“He was given a straight red card! At this point, Paul, our U-23s kitman, turned around to me and said ‘Come on, Taylor! Let’s go!’ And I was thinking ‘Oh my god, what have I let myself in for.’”

Foran did well in that game, but when he does get an opportunity under Mikel Arteta in Arsenal’s first-team, we’re sure he’ll be asked to play in his natural position as a defender.