Arsenal boss Unai Emery has promoted four youngster to his squad as they take on Blackpool this evening in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, the Mirror reports.
Emile Smith Rowe, Joe Willock, Julio Pleguezuelo and Eddie Nketiah were all selected by Emery to take part in the Gunners’ first-team training on Tuesday as the squad prepare for the Blackpool tie.
Smith Rowe has managed to make three first team appearances already this season for Arsenal after shining during pre-season.
The 18-year-old started against Brentford in the last round of the competition and also scored his first senior goal in the Europa League against Qarabag a couple of weeks back.
Fellow midfielder Willock is yet to feature under Emery but played under Arsene Wenger in the Carabao Cup and in Europe last season, as well as turning out against Newcastle and Manchester United in the Premier League.
Spanish right-back Pleguezuelo is the least well known of the quartet having not played a minute of first team football for the Gunners.
Pleguezuelo has spent the last two seasons on-loan at Mallorca and Gimnastic – having risen up through the Barcelona academy before sealing his switch to Arsenal back in 2013.
Nketiah joined the Gunners from London rivals Chelsea back in 2015 and scored a brace against Norwich in last season’s Carabao Cup.
The 19-year-old made 10 appearances under Wenger but like Willock, is yet to feature under new boss Emery.
