MIKEL ARTETA was left with the bare bones of an Arsenal squad last weekend.
The Gunners boss had six first team stars missing in Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino, Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Declan Rice was suspended for Arsenal’s 1-0 winning visit to Tottenham
Captain Martin Odegaard was missing through injury picked up with Norway
As a result, Arteta was forced to assemble a bench that included FIVE teenagers – four of which had never made a senior appearance for the club.
Arsenal fans will already be aware of talented academy stars Myles Lewis-Skelly, 17, and Ethan Nwaneri, 17 – the latter becoming the youngest ever Prem debutant in September 2022 at the age of 15 years and 181 days.
However, there was an “unknown” trio sat alongside them at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
SunSport’s Jordan Davies gives a profile on each of them:
AYDEN HEAVEN
POSITION: Centre back
NATIONALITY: English
AGE: 17
Heaven signed from West Ham in 2019 and has become a real stand-out in the Hale End academy, drawing praise from Arteta after appearing on the club’s pre-season tour of the States this summer in a clash with Manchester United.
The 6ft3 teenager is no stranger to an Arsenal first team squad, featuring on the bench during last season’s 1-0 defeat away to Porto in the Champions League last 16 first leg.
Ayden Heaven earned his first senior Premier League call up on Sunday
MALDINI KACURRI
POSITION: Centre back
NATIONALITY: Albanian
AGE: 18
This Albanian youth international has a reputation in the academy for his crunching tackles and robust style.
And he could soon be making them in the Prem with the seniors.
Kacurri signed a new pro deal with the club this summer after establishing himself as a regular for the youth teams following his free agent exit from Fulham in 2022.
Maldini Kacurri was named on the Arsenal bench in the North London derby
ISMEAL KABIA
POSITION: Right winger
NATIONALITY: Dutch
AGE: 18
Another youngster who penned new terms this summer after joining in 2022, known for his rapid pace on the flanks.
He has made an impact in the older age groups, scoring one and providing another in three Prem 2 outings.
While he was also on-target against Leyton Orient in the EFL Trophy.
Ismeal Kabia signed a new contract with the Gunners this summer
Arsenal ratings vs Spurs as Gabriel is the hero in feisty North London derby
GABRIEL headed in the only goal of the game as a depleted Arsenal snatched all three points in the North London Derby.
Here’s how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated the Gunners players…
DAVID RAYA – 8/10
Commanded his area well, and was a safe pair of hands throughout the game. Another great showing in what has been a spectacular start for the Spanish stopper.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 7
Did well from an attacking perspective, charging down the left hand side on various occasions. Solid defensively too against Spurs’ flying right side of Johnson and Porro.
Some would argue he should’ve been sent off for a challenge on Pedro Porro in the first half, but he escaped despite squaring up to Vicario in the aftermath.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 8
A really good recovery challenge in the first half to deny Dominic Solanke, despite being booked early on.
You can always count on Saliba to put in a solid display, and he didn’t disappoint today with fantastic passing out from the back too.
GABRIEL – 9
A fantastic defensive showing throughout, reinforced with a towering header inside the box to give his side the lead from a set piece (shock).
Has formed an impeccable partnership with Saliba, personified by their heartwarming celebration together after the opener. He’s the man.
BEN WHITE – 6
Gave away the ball in a dangerous position in the first half, with Solanke failing to capitalise and had a tough first half against the quick feet of Heung Min-Son.
Was not able to demonstrate the dangerous right-hand side overlap we saw work so effectively last season, but wasn’t threatened in the second 45.
JORGINHO – 4
Struggled to replace the suspended Declan Rice for this North London derby, whom the Gunners really missed.
A tough task, but didn’t come close to matching Rice’s intensity or ability to drive the ball up the pitch which left Arsenal weak in the forward areas.
THOMAS PARTEY – 5
Struggled in transition with Jorginho alongside him, another player who felt the full force of no Rice and Odegaard.
Not fast enough with or without the ball, and will need to perk his ideas up for City next week.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6
Looked like a bright spark with his running and forward movement, but was let down by his end product or lack thereof.
Worked really really hard throughout, just looks short of confidence in the last actions.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6
Dropping deeper into more of a midfield role than he’s used to today, it should be noted that he did a job for the team when they needed him.
Not the flying efficiency machine we have seen him be from the bench, but his versatility will be needed this season it seems.
BUKAYO SAKA – 7
Didn’t make the kind of impact on the game we are used to seeing from the brilliant Bukayo Saka, and looked less of a threat without Martin Odegaard to combine with.
Did some really good defensive work nonetheless, and delivered the perfect corner to claim the assist for Gabriel’s opener.
KAI HAVERTZ – 6
A good header in the first half was saved well by Vicario in the spurs net – actually made more clearances (3) than he managed shots on target (2) in the first 45.
Was a handful for the Spurs defence, but largely nullified by the pace and power of Mickey Van de Ven and Cristian Romero.