Mikel Arteta calls up 18-year-old who ‘often makes crunching challenges’ to Arsenal training ahead of NLD

Arsenal are in a bit of a tricky situation ahead of their North London derby clash with Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.

At 2pm on Sunday, the Gunners will lock horns with Spurs at N17 as both sides seek to get their respective Premier League seasons back on track.

However, Arsenal will have to do so without a number of key players, while some others remain doubts going into the weekend.

Mikel Merino and Declan Rice are definitely out, while Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus and Riccardo Calafiori will face late fitness tests.

Now, a player who could be a training replacement for Calafiori has been spotted in training ahead of Sunday’s derby.

Maldini Kacurri spotted in Arsenal training ahead of Tottenham clash

The player in question is Maldini Kacurri, one of the brightest defenders in the Arsenal academy.

The 18-year-old was photographed whilst in control of the ball, with Ben White seemingly eyeing up an opportunity to dispossess him.

Kacurri was wearing a numbered pink bib, which the likes of Raheem Sterling, Jakub Kiwior and Myles Lewis-Skelly were also sporting in the session.

Who is Arsenal academy defender Maldini Kacurri?

Maldini Kacurri is an 18-year-old defender who is currently plying his trade for Arsenal’s Under-21s.

The Albania Under-19 international joined Arsenal from Fulham in 2022 and penned a professional contract with the Gunners this summer.

Last season, Kacurri featured 13 times for Jack Wilshere’s side the Under-18 Premier League and made the step up to the U21s with four Premier League 2 appearances.

He also featured in the FA Youth Cup and UEFA Youth League last term, and this year he will be looking to cement his spot as a regular starter for the U21s.

Arsenal youth team expert Jeorge Bird has described him as a “no-nonsense centre-back” who “often makes crunching challenges”.

What does Kacurri think of being at Arsenal?

After committing his future to Arsenal in the summer, Kacurri told the club’s media team: “I’m very happy.

“This is something that I’ve been working towards my whole life. I feel very proud of myself, and my family are very proud of me, so all in all I’m very happy and can’t wait to keep going.

“Since the start I’ve felt very welcome. I settled in straight away and really enjoy it here. It’s a very nice club to be at.

“It’s good to pay off my family’s efforts a little bit, but of course there’s a lot more hard work that needs to be done.

“It wasn’t a difficult decision at all to commit my future here. It’s a great club, I’ve learned a lot here and I’ve improved so much. I can only see myself improve even more so it’s a no-brainer really.

“As long as I keep focusing on myself and improving, that will give me the best chance to have a good career.

“I was comfortable with the Under-21s last season and took the chances I was given. I can’t wait for next season to prove myself even more.

“It’s a lot more challenging than Under-18s, a lot quicker, but that’s how you learn. It will be good to see how I deal with that and learn from that.”