Photo: 19-year-old known for his 'crunching challenges' spotted in Arsenal training, launches into tackle on Sterling
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been putting his players through their paces ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Premier League strugglers Southampton.
The Gunners will be eager to maintain their unbeaten run and make it four wins in a row in all competitions.
Arsenal will be up against a Southampton side that is yet to win in the league this season and only has one point to their name.
However, the Saints’ confidence probably won’t be too low, as they have wins on board in the Carabao Cup.
The South Coast side beat Cardiff City in the second round before overcoming Everton on penalties in the third round.
Ahead of the game, Arsenal’s media team shared photos of their players in training, and one of Hale End’s top talents was seen in Thursday’s session.
The player in question is Maldini Kacurri, one of the brightest defenders in the Arsenal youth setup. He was photographed weighing in with a seemingly heavy tackle on Raheem Sterling.
Sterling appeared to ride out the tackle, however, and it doesn’t look as though he was suffering from any ill-effects later on.
Who is Arsenal youth talent Maldini Kacurri?
Kacurri, who turned 19 on Friday, is featuring more and more often in first-team training and made his senior debut in the Carabao Cup win over Bolton.
The Albania Under-19 international joined Arsenal from Fulham in 2022 and penned a professional contract with the Gunners this summer.
Last season, Kacurri featured 13 times for Jack Wilshere's side in the Under-18 Premier League and made the step up to the U21s with four Premier League 2 appearances.
This term, he started in the Under-21s, but has made the bench in Arsenal’s last three top-flight games, plus in the Champions League against PSG.
Arsenal youth team expert Jeorge Bird has described Kacurri as a "no-nonsense centre-back" who "often makes crunching challenges".
After Arsenal U21s’ EFL Trophy win over Leyton Orient, Bird wrote: “While he previously made errors with some regularity, Kacurri is now considerably more assured, both in terms of his reading of the game and his composure in possession.
“Kacurri is strong in aerial duels and he has always been unafraid to make crunching challenges.
“In addition, the Albania youth international appears to be a player who could develop into a leader.”
READ MORE: Alan Shearer predicts Arsenal v Southampton and makes 'awful' Saints comment
Arsenal v Southampton team news
Arsenal defenders Ben White and Jurrien Timber are in contention to feature against Southampton, as reported by the Evening Standard.
White missed the wins over Leicester and PSG, while Timber was replaced at half-time against the Ligue 1 side.
Fellow defender Takehiro Tomiyasu is also close to a return in pursuit of his first outing of the season, while Mikel Merino is in the frame for his first Premier League appearance.
As for Southampton, they are expected to still be without Gavin Bazunu, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Jack Stephens and William Smallbone
Saints goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is expected to face his former club for the first time since his summer move from N5.
