As the youngest of Arsenal’s current first-year scholars, Marli Salmon is a strong contender to become the first of his cohort to make a competitive senior debut.
The defender gained significant attention over the summer when, at just 15, he featured prominently for the first team during pre-season. His inclusion followed an impressive run in the previous campaign, where he became a key figure for the U21s while still a schoolboy.
This season, Salmon has continued to train with the senior squad, where he has been utilized at both centre-back and right-back, though the former remains his strongest position. His progress earned him a late call-up to England’s U17 World Cup squad, but he did not see any playing time in the tournament.
Upon returning to Arsenal, he has been an important player for both the U21 and U19 sides. He delivered a standout performance against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Youth League, showcasing his technical ability, and captained the U19s against Atletico Madrid despite being one of the youngest players in the squad. His season also included a rare appearance for the U18s, which ended in a red card during a heated North London derby.
Due to international commitments and a staggered youth schedule, Salmon has made just eleven appearances across all age groups but has consistently impressed. The 16-year-old reads the game exceptionally well, is confident in possession, and possesses strong aerial ability. Known for his high-quality passing, he is also comfortable engaging attackers in individual duels.
While occasional errors are a natural part of his development at this age, the signs remain highly encouraging. With injuries currently affecting Arsenal’s first-team defence, Salmon will be eager to seize any opportunity that comes his way as he continues to progress.
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