Photo: Arteta calls teenage speedster up to Arsenal training pre-Cherries, his 'directness causes problems for opponents'

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been putting his players through their paces ahead of their return to Premier League action this weekend.

The Gunners remain unbeaten this season and went into the October international break on the back of four wins in a row in all competitions.

Arsenal, who currently sit third in the Premier League table, are set to take on a Bournemouth side that has suffered from inconsistency so far this season.

The Cherries lost their last game before the international break, falling to a 1-0 loss at Leicester City, and currently sit 13th in the standings.

On Friday, the Arsenal media team shared photos from their latest training session at London Colney.

Several academy stars were spotted in action, including an 18-year-old winger whose “directness causes problems for opponents”.

Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

The player in question is Ismeal Kabia, who was photographed trying to take the ball off Raheem Sterling in training.

Who is Arsenal academy player Ismeal Kabia?

Ismeal Kabia is a professional footballer who plies his trade for Arsenal and currently plays for the Under-21s, though he has made his senior Gunners debur.

The 18-year-old was born in the Netherlands and moved to England aged nine.

As per Arsenal youth team expert Jeorge Bird, Kabia signed scholarship terms with the Gunners in 2022 and penned a professional contract two years later.

He has made seven appearances for Arsenal this season, including his senior debut, which came in the Carabao Cup win over Bolton Wanderers.

Bird has described Kabia as a “speedy winger” who is “capable playing on either flank but often used on the left wing”, and whose “directness causes problems for opponents”.

READ MORE: Player who left Arsenal this summer says Gunners return 'would be fantastic'

What Kabia said after signing his first Arsenal professional contract

Kabis told the official Gunners website in July 2024: "It's been a long time coming and I'm very happy, having been at the club for a long time. I'm just proud that I've achieved this milestone.

"It was a very easy decision because I've been here for a while. Me and my family support Arsenal as well, so there wasn't much of a discussion.

"The club has fed me a lot of good information, not only as a player but off the field as well to be respectful. The mentality that this club has has pushed me through life and football.

"Now that I've played under-21s football I know what it's like. I know the intensity, I know what's required of you as a player. Now I want to strive for more.

"I want to thank my family, especially my dad. He's pushed me even though we had some hard arguments and discussions.

“I want to thank my family here and in America, and also my friends because they've helped me through hard times.

"The aim is to get a full season of football in without any injuries or problems, then trying to play to the best of my ability."

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