Arsenal might have just produced something they haven’t managed to in over 25 years

Hale End has produced a plethora of exciting talents.

From attackers like Bukayo Saka and Max Dowman, to midfielders like Jack Wilshere and Myles Lewis-Skelly, Arsenal have never lacked technical quality and flair from their academy ranks.

But a genuinely world-class defender coming through the ranks? That hasn’t happened in over 25 years.

Of course, Lewis-Skelly broke through as a left-back, but it’s clear his true calling is in central midfield.

There’s Hector Bellerin and Kieran Gibbs, both excellent servants but with only 14 international caps between them, they never quite reached the heights fans had hoped.

Brooke Norton-Cuffy came through a few years ago and is plying his trade in Serie A now, but it remains to be seen what level he can reach.

You’d have to go all the way back to Ashley Cole’s breakthrough in 1999 to find the last elite defender produced by Arsenal.

Until, perhaps, now.

Why Arsenal fans are so excited about Marli Salmon

Marli Salmon has featured in all of Arsenal’s pre-season games, after starting and playing 88 minutes against Como on Wednesday.

He turns 17 in a few weeks and is poised to sign his first professional contract with the club.

And what he has shown this summer is not what you would typically expect from a 16-year-old centre-back.

Not only does he look a good player for his age, but he looks like he could be special.

Salmon is already being given the tools to operate as a controlling centre-back in Arsenal’s build-up.

Against Como, the maturity and composure he showed was breathtaking at times. He was dropping the shoulder to beat his man, and carrying the ball into midfield almost like a winger.

Not to put too much expectation on the kid, but it was reminiscent of what we saw from William Saliba’s pre-season in 2022. That first glimpse of a player who was clearly something different.

Earlier this summer we analysed how Saliba’s injury could hand Salmon a huge opportunity to impress in pre-season.

What we didn’t expect was for the 16-year-old to have a genuine chance of breaking into the first team right away and put himself in contention to start in the Community Shield against Manchester City.

He has taken his chance emphatically. Arsenal fans haven’t had this feeling watching a young defender come through the academy in a very long time.

Even England, who aren’t exactly stacked at centre-back, might have a decision to make about him soon enough. He doesn’t look far away at all.

Despite this, Arsenal are still keen to sign a defender, with Ezri Konsa being pursued as experienced cover for Saliba.

The age profile of Konsa makes a lot of sense as a bridge before Salmon can fully step up and take over.