‘Outstanding’ 17-year-old Arteta has called up to Arsenal senior training is one to watch in 2023 – opinion

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal have had one of the best academies in the country for some time now, and their current crop is no different.

Gunners fans have been able to get a glimpse of many of these young stars during the mid-season break.

Mikel Arteta called up a host of them to go to Dubai while members of the first-team were at the World Cup.

It allowed him to assess just how close they were to being ready for senior action if called upon.

They were given varying numbers of minutes as Arsenal went on to win the Dubai Super Cup.

However, they couldn’t prevent a defeat in their final friendly to Juventus before the season restarts.

One player who has caught the eye and could be one to watch in 2023 is defender Lino Sousa.

Sousa was signed in January from West Bromwich Albion, and came with a big reputation.

A report from The Athletic suggested that Sousa is ‘among the best in the country’ for his age group.

It’s high praise indeed, and has been recognised at London Colney too, with Sousa regularly training with the first team.

The under-21s left-back could be a player Arsenal fans see more of in the near future.

Arsenal’s Sousa one to watch in 2023

After being included as part of the Dubai training camp, Sousa went on to make a number of appearances for the senior side.

He was an unused substitute against Juventus, but made a cameo against AC Milan, and played nearly 30 minutes against Lyon.

He was praised for his defending against the French side, particularly his tracking back.

Sousa is a typical modern, attacking full-back and enjoys bombing up the left-hand side.

Such is his attacking output, Sousa could be comfortable playing on the left in a back-four, or a wing-back in a back-three.

Sousa has said that Oleksandr Zinchenko is mentoring him, which will certainly improve the technical aspects of his game.

Zinchenko’s tutelage under Pep Guardiola has made him the perfect left-back for Arteta’s system.

Such is the faith in Sousa at Arsenal, that they were willing to let Joel Lopez leave the club in the summer to give him more minutes.

Journalist Charles Watts has also relayed just how impressed Arsenal’s coaches have been with him.

“Lots of people at the club rave about him when you speak to them about how good this kid is.” Watts said.

Sousa could earn first-team minutes in 2023

There are a number of factors as to why Sousa could end up being one to watch under Arteta in the next 12 months.

Injuries have already hampered Zinchenko’s short time at The Emirates, and Kieran Tierney hasn’t example impressed with his long-term fitness.

Cedric Soares – who is predominantly a right-back, but can play on the left – is also linked with a move away from the club in January.

This could mean Arteta may use Sousa in the cup competitions to keep his more senior options fully fit.

The Spaniard has an unlikely title challenge to oversee, and the FA Cup or Europa League could offer Sousa those opportunities.

Sousa looks set to be one to watch going into 2023. If first-team chances don’t present themselves this season, a loan move could be on the cards in the summer.