Report: Arteta is a huge fan of Arsenal youngster Marcelo Flores

Add as preferred source on Google

Mikel Arteta is a huge fan of Marcelo Flores and plans to look at the youngster in the summer as he weighs up whether to include him in the Arsenal first-team fold next season, according to a report from Football London.

Flores is one of a number of incredibly exciting young players coming through at Hale End. The 18-year-old is, of course, an international, having made his debut for Mexico last year.

He has played across the under-18s and under-23s this year for the Gunners. And he has gone on to score 10 goals in 20 games in all competitions. He has also provided three assists along the way.

Some may have assumed that Flores would have his sights set on building on his progress with the under-23s next season. He has only really become a regular fixture since the turn of the year.

But perhaps he may get a chance to move another step up next term.

Football London reports that Flores is set to get an opportunity in pre-season to show whether he is ready to feature in the first-team picture.

Arteta is a big admirer of the teenager. So it would appear that he could follow the likes of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe into the senior fold at some stage in the not too distant future.

Flores seriously exciting if Arteta could see him in Arsenal first-team

Arteta is putting something really special together at Arsenal. And the squad has the potential to grow significantly in the coming years.

Certainly, there are not too many areas of the side where the Gunners look weak. So it says a lot that Arteta sees Flores potentially being ready to make an impact from next season.

Even if that chance comes too soon, it is incredibly encouraging that Arteta has Flores on his radar.