Marcelo Allende, a Chilean u17 international, has joined Arsenal on trial until September.
Dubbed ‘the new Alexis,’ Allende captained his country in the FIFA U17 World Cup in November – the same tournament Arsenal new boy, Kelechi Nwakali was named Player of the Tournament.
“I accepted without hesitation,” Allende said. “That you’re watching Arsenal, one of the best clubs in the world, it’s very cool.
“Being very realistic there differences are many in that Arsenal have everything, whatever, you care a lot.”
He also revealed that Alexis told him to hit the weights. “The other time I came, I could be with him [Alexis], [he] treated me really well.
“I was invited to watch a game because he was just injured. I saw him almost every day, we talked a lot, he was very happy.
“He wondered if I was happy. I told him [it’s] obvious that any child dreams of being at Arsenal.
“He told me ‘Do weights.’”
Allende is described as a ‘small and talented flyer’.
There is no indication if he will be awarded a contract at this point. He turned 17 in April.