Marcelo Flores’ father confirms Arsenal youngster is in squad to face Crystal Palace

Arsenal wonderkid Marcelo Flores is set to be in the Gunners’ squad for their trip to south London to take on Crystal Palace on Monday night, according to his father.

After the two-week international break, Mikel Arteta’s side resume their quest for a top-four finish with a tricky away fixture at Selhurst Park against former captain Patrick Vieira.

Back in October, Palace were just seconds away from claiming a 2-1 victory at the Emirates until Alexandre Lacazette netted a 95th-minute equaliser.

Arsenal have a few selection doubts ahead of Monday’s rematch with the Eagles, with Bukayo Saka only having had a handful of training sessions after testing positive for Covid and Gabriel Martinelli returning late in the week from Brazil duty.

That might have opened up a place on the bench for an extra winger, and Arteta looks set to place his faith in 18-year-old attacking sensation Flores.

The Mexican has impressed enormously in Arsenal’s academy, netting three goals in his last four development matches against the Under-23 sides of Liverpool, Tottenham and Palace.

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Now his father claims the teenager has been included in Arteta’s squad for the trip to Selhurst Park and could be in line to make his full debut off the bench.

‘So proud and excited with the first call up of Marcelo Flores with the first team at Arsenal,’ tweeted Ruben Flores on Sunday night.

‘Good luck son! You’ve been preparing all your life for moments like this.’

Arsenal have had a conveyor belt of young talent in recent