Fleetwood Town face a senior Arsenal side that has integrated seven youth players into its preparations for Tuesday's League Cup tie. The move offers a rare chance for the Gunners' emerging talent to feature against the League Two club, which sits 18th in the table with 14 points from 13 games, having recorded three wins, five draws and five losses.

Forwards Andre Harriman-Annous, James Scanlon, Igor Tyjon, and Ceadach O’Neill were among those involved in Monday's session, alongside midfielders Ife Ibrahim and Theo Julienne. Left-back Marcell Washington also trained with the first team, as did Marli Salmon and Max Dowman, who are now considered senior squad members.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed the youth involvement would be limited for the match itself. "We won’t call up all of the above players, but it’s possible one or two will make the squad against Fleetwood Town," he said.

Potential senior call-ups

The League Cup fixture represents a lower-pressure opportunity for Arsenal, who are competing in the Premier League title race and Champions League. This context makes it a logical moment to assess young players like Julienne, who can also operate at right-back and trained there in pre-season.

Fleetwood Town, currently 18th in League Two with 14 points from 13 games, will be looking to capitalise on any potential disruption. They head into the cup tie on the back of two consecutive league defeats, including a 2-1 loss to Exeter City last Friday where Ronan Coughlan scored their goal. Their recent form over the last five league games shows two wins, one draw and two defeats. The team has scored 15 goals and conceded 17 this season, leaving them with a negative two goal difference and 14 points behind the league leaders.

Squad status and context

Salmon and Dowman's presence in the recent first-team squad photo shows their raised status. Their involvement, alongside the other youngsters, points to Arteta's plan to rotate his squad. A hint on final player involvement will come when the teamsheet is released two hours before the 20:00 GMT kick-off.

Anyone named in the Arsenal under-21 squad for their 18:00 GMT match against AFC Wimbledon will be ineligible for the senior game later that evening. The anticipation now turns to which of the seven training youngsters will get their chance against Fleetwood Town at the Emirates Stadium. Fleetwood's focus will then return to league action, with their next fixture at home to Bristol Rovers on Saturday 31 October.

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