Report: Arteta calls up 19-year-old who's like Eduardo to Arsenal training pre-Saints

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been putting his players through their paces ahead of Saturday’s Southampton clash.

The Gunners have shown great progress all season, but two consecutive defeats have dampened optimism.

Arsenal lost 3-0 at Crystal Palace last Monday before Brighton ran out 2-1 winners at the Emirates.

The Gunners are now fifth in the Premier League table, three points behind Tottenham, albeit with a game in hand.

Arteta also has to contend with several injury issues that have come at the worst time.

Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey are out, while Takehiro Tomiyasu isn’t expected to return until after the Saints game.

Football.london reported earlier this week that Arteta has called up five youngsters to training.

He reportedly promoted Mazeed Ogungbo, Lino Sousa, Charlie Patino, Miguel Azeez and Marcelo Flores.

According to Jeorge Bird, Arteta also called Mika Biereth up to senior training on Wednesday.

Arsenal signed the 19-year-old in July 2021 following an incredible campaign with Fulham.

Biereth had registered a staggering 22 goals and 13 goals from 27 Cottagers appearances at age level.

This season, the Dane has registered 10 goals and four assists from 17 Premier League 2 appearances.

Biereth also scored once from his one EFL Trophy outing this term.

And with Eddie Nketiah likely to leave Arsenal in summer, surely Biereth will be first-team bound next term.

Jeorge Bird also claimed Ogungbo, Azeez, Sousa, James Hillson, Zak Swanson and Omari Hutchinson were training with the senior on Wednesday.

Report: Arteta calls up 19-year-old who’s been compared to Eduardo to Arsenal training pre-Saints