Arsenal are said to be one of a number of clubs monitoring 17-year-old Joe Gomez.

The defender, who has already represented England at u19 level, can play at right-back but his future is believed to lie in the centre of the back line and Arsenal are hoping that the relationship they have developed with the Addicks over recent seasons will give them the edge when it comes to landing the youngster.

Signing Carl Jenkinson and lending them Francis Coquelin, dealing with a club in such a manner always lays good foundations for future moves and with the club looking to sign up some more homegrown players, Gomez would certainly seem like a valuable addition in the long-term.

Making 17 appearances for the side in the Championship this season, there is no guarantee that Arsenal will actually move for him – they watch countless players, only a fraction of which they actually try to land and a smaller amount still arrive.

But, hopefully if they do decide to act, they will have the edge over their rivals.