Arsenal wonderkid Lino Sousa trains with first team ahead of Brighton clash

Arsenal wonderkid Lino Sousa has trained with the first team ahead of a possible appearance in the matchday squad against Brighton.

As reported by Arsenal Youth, Sousa has been moved up from the academy for the week and could be in contention to be named on the bench for the second time this season.

The 18-year-old left-back joined the Gunners from West Brom's academy in January 2022, signing his first professional contract in the process.

Highly-rated among Arsenal staff, he began life at the Emirates in the U18 squad before being moved up to the U23s. And his development was rewarded when he was selected in Arsenal's mid-World Cup training camp earlier this season.

Sousa came on as a substitute in Dubai Super Cup matches against Lyon and AC Milan, and played 45 minutes against Watford before the squad jetted off on their training camp.

During the recent international break, the young defender represented England U18s in friendlies against Switzerland and Belgium.

Sousa trains with first team

The Athletic report that coaches at West Brom described Sousa as 'outstanding', and as one of the best players in his age group.

He will hope to show his potential on the grand stage by being given a Premier League debut, having been an unused substitute for Arsenal's 3-0 win over Brentford in September.

He was also pictured training with the first team prior to February's thrilling 4-2 win over Aston Villa.

Along with Sousa, Arsenal Youth add that fellow starlet Reuell Walters continued to train with the first team this week.

Walters can play at right-back, left-back and centre-back, and has been a regular on the Gunners bench in recent months amid the absence of William Saliba.

But he is yet to make his senior debut, having been a regular for Arsenal's U21 and U23 sides this term.

With left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko a doubt for the Brighton clash through injury, Sousa and Walters could both be named in the matchday squad to cover for Kieran Tierney.