As well as confirming the departures of a few youth players, Arsenal’s statement on Friday seemingly confirmed some extensions.

Included in Arsenal’s list of released players on Friday were three youth players – Jonathan Dinzeyi, Joel Lopez, and Jordan McEneff. But interestingly, some other players with contracts that expired this summer weren’t listed.

Tim Akinola and George Lewis were both previously on contracts running to June 2022, but neither are set to be released this month.

As a result, the assumption is that both have extended their deals with Arsenal.

Before Akinola’s loan move to Dundee United, reports suggested Arsenal were planning to activate a one-year extension in his contract. This extension was never officially confirmed by the club, but it appears now that they did activate it.

As for Lewis, it seems he’s in a similar situation. Jeorge Bird reports Arsenal had an option for a one-year extension with Lewis as well.

An extension for Lewis – even just for one year – is more of a surprise. Just days away from his 22nd birthday, the winger made just two Premier League 2 appearances this season.

Part of that was due to injury. Arsenal were hoping to loan Lewis out in August, but he suffered a serious injury that scuppered those plans.

But even after his return to the pitch as a substitute against Derby County, Lewis only made the Arsenal u23 squad for four of the final 10 games.

It seems Akinola and Lewis both have one more year to impress at Arsenal, and perhaps the change in u23 head coach will work in their favour.