Sunderland forward Mason Cotcher is getting another chance with the Arsenal u18s today, after playing for the Gunners on trial last week.
When the Arsenal academy named their u18 side to face Middlesbrough in the u18 Premier League Cup on Saturday morning, there was a surprise addition in the form of teenage forward Mason Cotcher.
Cotcher was most recently on the books with Sunderland, and reports last weekend suggested that he was only on trial during the Middlesbrough game, which Arsenal won 1-0.
There were then reports during the week that the likes of Rangers and Brighton were still in the mix for the player as well.
But the forward remains with the young Gunners as it stands, getting a start for Arsenal in their u18 Premier League match against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
🟡 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🔵
©️ Ferdinand captains the side
⚖️ Rosiak anchors the midfield
🔥 Kamara in attack✊ Let's do this, Gunners!#AFCU18 | #U18PL pic.twitter.com/J8FotYZN9B
— Arsenal Academy (@ArsenalAcademy) October 28, 2023
Jeorge Bird writes that Cotcher is still on trial, so Arsenal are yet to officially commit to the signing. But the England u17 international clearly didn’t put the Gunners off with his first appearance for the side.
Cotcher had a solid 2022/23 campaign, scoring or assisting 10 goals in 19 u18 Premier League games for Sunderland.
He impressed enough to make the bench for the Sunderland senior side in the FA Cup in January, before going on to play for the England u17s over the subsequent international break.
We’ll have to wait for official confirmation on whether or not Cotcher makes a permanent transfer to Arsenal.