While Arsenal are in the midst of their pre-season tour of the United States, work continues in London as the academy looks to groom the next line-up of Premier League-caliber Gunners. After a great season in the Under-23s and deciding his future in the national team, the attacking midfielder Marcelo Flores will join Real Oviedo Loaned to LaLiga 2 next season. Seen as one of Hale’s winger’s brightest stars at the moment, it seems like a brilliant move for a club aiming for promotion to La Liga.
Flores joined the Arsenal academy at the age of 15 from the Ipswich Town development team. A year later he was with the U18 and was promoted to the U23 last season. Despite the fact that he was still 18 years old and not yet playing high-level soccer, both Mexico and Canada tried to transfer Flores to their national team setup.
In the 2021/22 season, Marcelo has 11 goals and three assists in 22 games with the Under-18s and the Under-23s. After deciding to join the Mexican national team, he earned his first cap in December 2021 with two subsequent appearances. 18 years old, he has excelled at youth level, made his national team and is full of potential. This loan move is a great opportunity for Arsenal to develop and show what they can offer the first team for years to come.
Real Oviedo plays in the Second Division, also known as LaLiga 2, as part of a 22-team league. They finished seventh last season, tied for best in the division despite losing just eight times. Oviedo finished with 68 points, tied for 6th place for the last place in the promotion play-offs. But with the better goal difference, Girona won the playoff on points from head to head.
We will be keeping an eye on Flores and how the next season plays out and when he gets a final spot on Mexico’s World Cup squad.
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