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Arsenal have agreed the signing of a new young talent, as manager Mikel Arteta gears up for a huge summer of business.
The Gunners have enjoyed their most successful season in two decades, ending their Premier League title drought, along with reaching the finals of both the Champions League and the Carabao Cup.
But while FourFourTwo understands that Arteta is currently taking time off, the recruitment team are working hard to make sure Arsenal improve on a winning squad and begin a dynasty in N5.
Arsenal strike wonderkid transfer ahead of Liverpool
Despite a huge influx of investment in the first team last summer, Arsenal remain committed to strengthening with youth, too, as several prospects have been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium this summer.
World Cup 2026 star Ayyoub Bouaddi is reportedly on the radar of both Arsenal and Liverpool, while Leicester City starlet Jeremy Monga could well jump ship following the Foxes' relegation to League One, and link up with the English champions.
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Now, the father of Larne teenager Phoenix Blayney has revealed that his son has agreed a pre-contract with Arsenal, as per the Belfast Telegraph.
Alex Blayney, a former Northern Irish goalkeeper himself, has revealed that triallist Phoenix will join the Gunners on professional terms when he turns 17 in November 2027, noting that Liverpool were also in the race.
“Phoenix enjoyed being at Arsenal, he felt a connection there and really likes the coaches,” Blayney Snr revealed. “One of his good friends, Daniel Mccarron, has joined the club and that’s probably one of the reasons, too. He and Daniel play in the same Northern Ireland team.”
Arsenal have made significant effort to revamp their goalkeeping department, headed by first-team goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana, in recent years – with Kepa Arrizabalaga brought in as no.2 between the sticks last summer, and the likes of Tommy Setford and Lucas Nygaard acquired for the academy.
2008-born Jack Porter, meanwhile, made his senior debut for the club in 2024 at the age of just 16, after both David Raya and Setford were injured, and the club's then-deputy Neto was cup-tied.
Arsenal have signed a senior goalkeeper every year of Arteta's tenure, with Kepa (2025) following Neto (2024), Raya (2023, on loan, before a permanent move was triggered 12 months later), Matt Turner (2022), Aaron Ramsdale (2021), Mat Ryan and Alex Runarsson (both 2020).
FourFourTwo understands that Blayney is not seen as an immediate option for first-team football and will be eased into the senior set-up in time at London Colney.
