by Lewis Ambrose

The squad that Arsène Wenger will take to Singapore for the Barclays Asia Trophy has been named, and two youth players will travel with the squad.

Dan Crowley and Chris Willock are both just 17 and have not yet appeared for the Arsenal first-team, but have impressed the manager enough to feature in the trip to Asia.

With a 27-man squad named and two games in the space of four days, the youngsters are likely to see some action.

Willock played for Wenger against Boreham Wood last pre-season, and featured just twice for the Arsenal u21 team last season. He also played six times in the UEFA Youth League and has clearly impressed. Now he has an opportunity to train with the first team and show that he has the ability to play at the top level. The English winger can play on either side and his intelligence on the ball is incredibly impressive.

A more familiar name is Dan Crowley, who already trained with the first-team much of last season. The midfielder joined Arsenal from Aston Villa two seasons ago and has been superb. He is very similar to Jack Wilshere, a small creative midfielder who loves to run with the ball, and turns 18 next month. The midfielder has been linked with a loan, but Wenger clearly wants to give him an opportunity before that happens.

Arsenal’s midfield is incredibly congested already so this may be the only opportunity that the youngsters are afforded to make an impression this season.

Arsenal face a Singapore XI on Wednesday and then either Stoke or Everton on Saturday, before travelling back.