Who is Marcelo Flores? Meet the Arsenal wonderkid set for his Premier League debut

Arsenal starlet Marcelo Flores will reportedly be included in Mikel Arteta’s squad to face Crystal Palace.

The 18-year-old academy ace’s first Premier League call-up was announced by his father Ruben, a former professional footballer in Canada and Mexico, who tweeted the news to his 11,100 followers. The evident pride, emotion, and excitement his father expressed in the brief message was close to being tangible.

“So proud and excited with the first call up of Marcelo Flores with the first team [of] Arsenal," Flores senior said about his young starlet. “Good luck son, you’ve been preparing all your life for moments like this”.

Arsenal’s scouting department first spotted the Mexican international while he was only 15 years old. At the time, Flores was making a name for himself by pulling the strings in Ipswich Town’s youth development system.

Ever since the Gunners’ coerced him over to north London, Flores has been developing at an astounding speed. He has contributed an impressive six goals and two assists in 11 appearances for the U18s, as well as three goals and one assist in Premier League 2.

Arsenal U23s manager Kevin Betsy handed him his first appearance in January; introducing the midfielder in the second half against Brighton and Hove Albion. His promising cameo prompted Betsy to introduce him from the bench against Chelsea in the Papa John’s Trophy quarter final.

His impact was almost immediate, providing the final flourish in what was a wonderful team goal for the young Gunners. “He has been very good and really grown in the group. He trains with us everyday,” Betsy told The Athletic after the match.

“That started at the beginning of the season back when he was with the under-18’s and now he is with us