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Arsenal give two academy prospects first-team training chance

·By Paul Vegas
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Arsenal give two academy prospects first-team training chance

Arsenal/X.com

Arsenal have given academy prospects Luis Munoz and Mikael Bonaventure Yetna a first-team training opportunity this week during the international break period.

The two schoolboys were among a group of young players called into training with the senior squad as several established players were away on international duty, reports Jeorge Bird's Arsenal youth website.

Munoz, an U15 attacking prospect, and U16 midfielder Bonaventure Yetna both took part in a session with the first team.

Bonaventure Yetna has retained the No.97 shirt he was allocated last season, while the opportunity represents another step in the development of two players who have already attracted attention within Arsenal's academy.

A small group of senior players who were not involved with their countries were also present. Kepa, Illan Meslier, Cristhian Mosquera, Noni Madueke, Piero Hincapie and Ben White were among those involved.

Marli Salmon also trained with the squad after withdrawing from the England U18 setup.

The session also provided opportunities for other academy players. Theo Julienne and Elijah Upson both took part in the full training session.

A further group of youngsters joined for the second part, including Igor Tyjon, Jaden Dixon, Demiane Agustien, Elyon Mbala, Charlie Purdy, Archie Stevens, Bowen Phillips, Maalik Hashi, Evan Mooney, Teshaun Murisa and Brayden Clarke.

Munoz is already familiar with senior-level exposure despite his age. The teenager has previously featured for Arsenal at U18 level and became the youngest player to appear in the UEFA Youth League when he came on against Bayern Munich as a 13-year-old.

He also scored on his Arsenal U18 debut against Fulham earlier this year, finding the net late to secure a 2-2 draw.

Bonaventure Yetna has similarly stepped up age groups, having made his U18 debut despite being an U15 player at the time.

Neither youngster is close to becoming a regular senior player yet, but training alongside Arsenal's first-team squad gives both another valuable experience of the demands at the highest level.

With the international break reducing the size of Mikel Arteta's senior group, the academy has once again supplied players to help fill out first-team training.