12 August 2026

Young centre-back broke into the first-team set-up last season and caught the eye again in the draw against Como.

Mikel Arteta feels Marli Salmon has already shown that he can be relied upon to start for Arsenal during this season.

The 16-year-old was in the starting line-up against Como on Wednesday night and emerged as one of the standout performers on the pitch in the 1-1 draw.

Salmon was the only Arsenal player to play for more than an hour, and he looked remarkably calm and assured at centre-back.

It was an important display from the teenager, with Arsenal currently light in defensive options because of injuries to William Saliba and Jurrien Timber.

Salmon has strengthened his case for first-team involvement in the early part of the campaign, and Arteta indicated that further chances are likely to come his way.

“He’s in and around the first team,” Arteta said.

“We know that obviously the circumstances are what they are, that’s the context that is allowing him to play more minutes.

“If we would have other players it would be more difficult. That doesn’t mean he wouldn’t get the chance to do so.

“But what he’s proved in the last few weeks is that he’s reliable and when we want to play him, he can do a job.”

Salmon made his Arsenal debut last season in the Champions League, coming on as a substitute away to Club Brugge.

His progress has gone somewhat under the radar when compared to the rapid rise of Max Dowman.

Even so, Arteta’s clear willingness to place trust in a 16-year-old defender underlines just how highly he regards Salmon.

When asked what he most admires about Salmon’s game, Arteta said: “First of all, the courage that he plays with.

“Second, how fast he learns. Sometimes at that age it takes weeks and months to develop certain things.

“He picks things [up] really quickly. He’s a really smart boy, he wants it. He’s 16 years old and some of the individual actions he’s done today, I think he was exceptional.”