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Mikel Arteta tries to nutmeg 17-year-old Arsenal youngster in training after calling him up to the 1st team

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Mikel Arteta has invited some of Hale End’s finest to train with Arsenal ahead of the UEFA Champions League clash against Porto – including Ayden Heaven.

There was also a sighting of Wales U19 international James Sweet – who found himself on the bench against Burnley on Saturday.

As Ayden Heaven and Mikel Arteta took part in a game of keep ball in Arsenal training, there was a funny moment involving the pair…

Mikel Arteta attempts to nutmeg Ayden Heaven

Well, the Spaniard decided to have a bit of fun with the 17-year-old at London Colney and embarrass him in front of his teammates.

At the 14:25 mark of a video posted by Hayters TV on Tuesday, Arteta can be seen putting his foot on the ball during a rondo – in which Heaven is stuck in the middle attempting to win back possession.

Arsenal Training Session - UEFA Champions League 2023/24
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

The 41-year-old tries to lure the teenager into making a challenge before flicking the ball through his legs, although it fails to come off as the likes of Martin Odegaard watch on laughing.

It was a nice moment, in which Arteta is presumably trying to relax Heaven and make the session feel a bit more jovial for the youngster, in case there were any nerves on his part.

Who is Arsenal youngster Ayden Heaven?

Arsenal have produced a number of top talents in recent years, such as Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah and Ethan Nwaneri.

However, there has been a shortage of talented defenders emerging from Hale End – until now.

Heaven is a towering central defender who looks built to play Premier League football, but also one who seems to possess the technical skills needed to play under Arteta.

Arsenal v RC Lens: Group G - UEFA Youth League 2023/24
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

The teenager even claimed to have scored a goal where he ran the entire length of the pitch in an interview on Arsenal’s official website.

If the Gunners are winning comfortably in Portugal tonight, we may even see Arteta decide to bring Heaven on to shore up the victory – if not, it surely won’t be long until the youngster makes his debut.