Arsenal have finally confirmed that Jeff Reine-Adelaide has been promoted to the first-team.
The 18-year-old promising midfielder, who started his life with the Gunners academy after leaving Lens, impressed everyone for the Under-21 side since his arrival at the Emirates last summer.
While officially registered to the academy, Reine-Adelaide played only two matches for Arsene Wenger’s first-team last season and has been rewarded again ahead of the 2016/17 campaign.
Interestingly, Arsenal gave a massive hint a few days ago that the France Under-18 starlet would receive a promotion when they removed him from the academy’s squad page – and the north Londoners have now confirmed this on Instagram.
Some reports have suggested that Wenger may decide to operate Reine-Adelaide in a position further forward, as Arsenal in the midst of an injury crisis up front.
It’s believed Chuba Akpom could be the only striker fully fit for the Gunners’ opening Premier League fixture against Liverpool.
The 18-year-old basically plays in attack but his best position is down the right wing. He is blessed with great dribbling ability and also ball control along with an incredible amount of technique for someone so young.
He is also extremely pacey, something that will please most fans and also aids his game style as a winger needs a tremendous amount of pace in this age of football.
Considering Arsenal’s failure to sign a new striker and with Olivier Giroud set to miss the opening part of the season, it looks Wenger has no other choice but to rely on young blood as he decided to promote Reine-Adelaide to the first team ahead of the upcoming season.