Arsenal 18yo called up to senior international squad

Arsenal teenager Ceadach O’Neill has received his first senior international call-up from Northern Ireland ahead of the June break.

Northern Ireland have confirmed their list of senior call-ups for the June internationals, and Arsenal 18-year-old Ceadach O’Neill has made the cut for the first time in his young career.

The national team already know O’Neill well from his time playing for the Northern Ireland u16s, u17s, u19s, and u21s, but this will be his first chance to make a full debut for the senior team.

Unfortunately, Northern Ireland didn’t make it to the World Cup this summer, so their games are just a couple of friendlies against Guinea on June 4th and France on June 8th.

O’Neill has had a busy season with the Arsenal academy, playing across various levels.

For the u18s, the forward scored 11 goals and assisted one in just 16 appearances, an excellent return. He also scored two and assisted one in four games for the underperforming u19s in the UEFA Youth League.

O’Neill’s u21 minutes were more limited, but he scored two goals and assisted one in his seven starts. He’ll likely be an u21 starter next season, after ageing out of u18 football.

That will all have helped his case, but O’Neill’s performances for the Northern Ireland youth teams will surely have provided the biggest boost to his senior call-up chances.

The national team setup already know what they’ll be getting with the young forward, it’s just about getting him that valuable senior experience.

Northern Ireland have had a lot of luck with Arsenal youth products in the past, with Dan Ballard previously breaking into the senior national team whilst still with the Gunners academy. If O’Neill can follow in Ballard’s footsteps, he’ll have a great career.

• 1 detail remains to be agreed in Trossard-Besiktas deal
  Leandro Trossard’s Besiktas move is moving closer, with his representatives called to Istanbul for final contract talks.
• What we learned from the Arsenal u21s’ pre-season return
  The Arsenal u21s have returned to London Colney for pre-season, with David Horseman seemingly in charge of the team on an interim basis.
• Arsenal target signs for Bayern Munich
  Arsenal are on the hunt for a full-back this summer, but one option is now off the table, with Nathaniel Brown joining Bayern Munich.
• Bayer Leverkusen fitness coach leaves to join Arsenal
  Bayer Leverkusen fitness coach Jose Jimenez has left Bayer Leverkusen to join Arsenal, according to a report.
• Arsenal lead Premier League clubs in key World Cup stat
  Arsenal lead the Premier League clubs for the most goal involvements at the World Cup so far, and with 10 players in the quarter-finals, their tally could increase further.