Mikel Arteta’s son trains with Arsenal u21s

Mikel Arteta’s son spent time training with the Arsenal u21s this week, after signing scholarship terms with the club.

Gabriel Arteta Bernal was pictured in training with the Arsenal u21s this week, with the u21 team returning to pre-season training after their summer break.

The Premier League confirmed in June that Mikel Arteta’s son Gabriel had signed scholarship terms with the Gunners, including him on their ‘retained list’ for players under contract with Arsenal beyond June 30th.

The 17-year-old is technically old enough for a professional contract, but for now he’s just on a scholarship deal in north London.

Arteta Jr. made a couple of appearances for the Arsenal u17s last season, playing in a 1-1 friendly draw with Shrewsbury Town and a 3-3 Premier League Cup draw with Watford last October.

The teenage winger then stepped up to the u18s in April and May, making four u18 Premier League appearances for the side.

The youngster has also linked up with Arsenal pre-season training camps in the past, though his involvement in pre-season training in 2023 was actually helping out the coaching staff, rather than joining in with the drills as a player.

Arsenal generally use rotated teams in the Premier League Cup and friendly matches, so it’s not a surprise that Gabriel got his first opportunities to play for the Gunners in those circumstances.

But stepping up to the u18s in competitive matches, signing a scholarship deal, and training with the u21s is more concrete progress, and it suggests the 17-year-old could be set for further opportunities with the u18s this season.

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