Arsenal youngster Mazeed Ogungbo is reportedly in Mikel Arteta’s squad for Monday's clash with Crystal Palace. The 19-year-old defender is set to join Marcelo Flores for the pivotal trip to South London.
Whilst Flores has long been mooted for a Premier League debut after impressing the Gunners’ coaching staff for a sustained period, Ogungbo’s selection is much more of a shock. However, according to Goal’s Charles Watts the young centre-back may be involved at Selhurst Park.
Ogungbo has been a regular for the under 23s this season making 20 appearances in PL2, he can also be utilised in a left-back role. Arsenal have given a number of their talented youngsters opportunities to impress this term with the likes of Charlie Patino featuring in their Carabao Cup run.
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Whilst Bukayo Saka, and Emile Smith Rowe have become cornerstones of the first team in their early 20’s, the club’s transfer policy is also aligned with signing young players with all of their summer acquisitions below the age of 24.
However, it would undoubtedly be a huge call from Arteta to give Ogungbo his first team debut at Palace. The Gunners have dropped down to fifth in the table following Tottenham’s scintillating 5-1 win over Newcastle on Sunday.
Arsenal will reclaim fourth spot with a win or draw at Palace and will still have a game in hand over their north London rivals. The two sides will reportedly meet at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 12 in a clash that could well decide fourth place.
