ARTETA CALLS UP 19-YEAR-OLD LIKENED TO CESC FABREGAS TO ARSENAL TRAINING

Arsenal are preparing for their return to Premier League action on Saturday as they host Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates. Both the Gunners and Spurs are flying high in the Premier League table and hoping to consolidate their positions. Arsenal are at the summit on 18 points, while Tottenham are a point and two places behind. Mikel Arteta has been putting the Arsenal players through their paces at London Colney ahead of Saturday’s early kickoff.

In the latest training photos the Gunners media team put out, a number of academy players could be spotted. One of those taking part in the session was Jack Henry-Francis, a player who has drawn comparisons to Cesc Fabregas. The 19-year-old is a product of the Hale End academy, progressing through the ranks to Under-21 level. He signed his first professional contract in October last year.

Henry-Francis has made 50 appearances for Arsenal’s Under-18 and Under-21s, including five for the latter this term. Arsenal youth team expert Jeorge Bird has described him as a ‘midfielder who is capable of breaking up play and initiating attacks’. Henry-Francis shot to prominence with a superb performance for the first-team against Hibernian in pre-season in 2021. The youngster came off the bench in the Edinburgh clash, replacing Mohamed Elneny in the second half.

He thoroughly impressed fans with his movement, quick distribution and desire to have the ball. Henry-Francis also played a part in Emile Smith Rowe’s goal on 82 minutes, a consolation effort in a 2-1 defeat. A number of Arsenal fans on Twitter have compared him to Fabregas. The introduction of of Nwaneri by Arteta the last time out was an impressive one as it shows how much interest they have in handing minutes to youth and its nice seeing Henry-Francis being a potential debutant.