Arsenal have confirmed that they’ll release Marcelo Flores to join up with the senior Mexico national team for a friendly next week.

Marcelo Flores after scoring for the Mexico u20s (Photo via Mexican National Team on Twitter)
Marcelo Flores after scoring for the Mexico u20s (Photo via Mexican National Team on Twitter)

Arsenal 18-year-old Marcelo Flores has been called up by the senior Mexican national team, as the side prepare to play a friendly match against Chile next week – Thursday, 9th December at 02:00 GMT.

The Arsenal Academy Twitter account has confirmed that Flores will join the side, meaning they’ve given permission for him to be temporarily released from u18 duty for the call-up.

Charles Watts that the youngster will fly out on Wednesday, so he’ll miss out on a few academy matches.

The Arsenal u21s play Ipswich Town in the EFL Trophy on Wednesday, before the u18s take on league-leaders Chelsea on Saturday, and they then kick off their FA Youth Cup campaign against Colchester United next Friday.

But the u21s would likely only have had Flores as a bench option, and the u18s should be able to see off Colchester United with or without Flores.

So if we’re choosing between having a slightly stronger u18 team to face Chelsea or letting Flores join up with his senior national side for the first time, it’s not a hard choice.

Flores has the choice of representing Mexico or Canada (or England) at senior level, but he’s already started to make a name for himself in Mexico.

The Mexico u20s won the Revelations Cup over the last international break thanks largely to a Player of the Tournament performance from Flores.

Marcelo Flores with the Mexico u20s (Photo via Flores on Instagram)
Marcelo Flores with the Mexico u20s (Photo via Flores on Instagram)

Going into the final game of the international break, the Mexico u20s had their Revelations Cup fate in their own hands.

After a draw with Colombia and a win over Brazil, they just needed another win against the USA to win the competition.

Arsenal’s Flores got another start, and in the early stages of the match, he made it count with his second goal of the tournament.

Picking up the ball a way outside the area, Flores drove at the defence, before cutting onto his right foot and powering a finish across the goalkeeper. It all happened too fast for anyone to react.

The USA fought back into the game, equalising in the 51st minute, but Flores helped his team retake the lead with an assist.

The Arsenal youngster picked up the ball on the left-hand side, crossing for Ali Avila to poke home from close range.

Mexico saw out the 2-1 lead to win the match and the tournament. Brazil won their game later in the day, but it was only enough to leave them on six points, one behind Mexico.

Flores had also scored a vital goal in the game against Brazil. With 64 minutes on the clock, he powered in a header to make it 2-1.

As well as that, the teenager even earned praise for his performance in the 0-0 with Colombia.

“Marcelo Flores played a good game and participated in areas where we asked him to,” Perez said at the time.

“He showed commitment to his teammates and helped them, the only thing missing was the finish.”

Fortunately for his national team, Flores found his finishing boots for the latter two games, and he ended up directly contributing to three of their four goals at the event.