Arsenal fans have been handed a bizarre piece of team news as the father of Marcelo Flores has confirmed that his son will be a part of the matchday squad for their trip to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace on Monday night.
The Gunners travel across London to round off the weekend’s action knowing that they have, for the time being, lost control of 4th place courtesy of Tottenham’s emphatic 5-1 win over Newcastle United on Sunday, meaning that they now trail Antonio Conte’s side on goal difference but have played two fewer games than their north London rivals.
And, in what perhaps suggests that there could be an issue with one of the regular first-team options at Mikel Arteta’s disposal, teenager Marcelo Flores has been called up to the substitutes bench.
Taking to Twitter, his father broke the news, writing:
‘So proud and excited with the first call up of @marceloflores with the first team @arsenal
Good luck son ❤️ you’ve been preparing all your life for moments like this’
So proud and excited with the first call up of @marceloflores with the first team @arsenal
Good luck son ❤️ you’ve been preparing all your life for moments like this #Flor3s
— Ruben Flores ⚽️ (@Ruboflores) April 3, 2022
Who is Marcelo Flores?
Arguably the next best thing out of Arsenal’s famed Hale End academy, Flores is still only 18 years old, but has already made his debut for the Mexico national team, which came in December.
A midfielder capable of playing across the three attacking roles, he has scored three goals and provided one assist at Premier League 2 level this season, but has not had any first-team experience with the Gunners to date in any competition.
However, given that he began the campaign playing for the Arsenal U18s, it is quite a meteoric rise for the teenager, who could quickly go on to establish himself in the Arsenal squad with the talents at his disposal.
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