Report: Mikel Arteta promotes 19-year-old Arsenal prospect to first-team training

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Arsenal prospect Tim Akinola has reportedly been promoted to first-team training by Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, according to Allnigeriasoccer.com.

The 19-year-old midfielder joined the Hale End setup in August after being released by Huddersfield, where he failed to break into the first team.

Despite having only been at Arsenal for a short time, Akinola has already emerged as one of the first names on Steve Bould’s teamsheet for the Under-23s.

The youngster has started the last three matches contested by the Gunners in the Premier League 2 while coming off the bench against Ipswich Town and Southampton’s U23s.

Allnigeriasoccer.com reports that, with numerous Arsenal players on international duty, Arteta has opted to call Akinola up to first-team training.

As reported by Football London, Akinola began his youth career at the age of 16 with League Two side Mansfield before moving to Lincoln ahead of the 2018-19 season.

While with the Imps, he played in the FA Youth Cup against West Brom and also had a loan spell at Lincoln United in the eighth tier of English football.

Akinola then joined Huddersfield last season after their relegation from the Premier League, earning himself a one-year deal with the option of an extension, though this wasn’t taken up.

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Akinola has certainly hit the ground running at Hale End and it’s great to see his efforts reportedly rewarded with a promotion to first-team training.

The outlet also mentions how the youngster has trained with the senior team on occasions, so it certainly looks as though Arteta is impressed by the academy newcomer.

Could Akinola get senior team at some point this season, perhaps in the cups? If he continues doing well, it’s always a possibility.