Arsenal manager stunned by ‘outstanding’ teenager who only joined in January

Arsenal U23 manager Kevin Betsy is full of praise for the “outstanding” Lino Sousa just three months after the teenager joined Premier League giants West Brom, speaking to the Gunner’s website.

The 17-year-old left-back is certainly not that First exciting young talent who has recently left West Bromwich Albion.

At least, unlike Louie Barry, Brad Young, Tim Iroegbunam and others, he didn’t practice his profession a few miles away in Villa Park.

On the other hand, if Lino Sousa thrives at Arsenal and one day follows in the footsteps of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and company in North London, that will be of little consolation to West Brom fans.

Has West Brom lost another prodigy?

Sousa, an England Under-18 international, penned with Arsenal in January.

The highly-rated full-back, who joined Wolverhampton from Portugal when he was just eight, was also a long-term target for the London giants.

Sousa himself recently admitted Arsenal first expressed interest in the summer of 2021biding their time before getting a deal down the line a few months later.

And it’s fair to say Sousa is repaying Arsenal’s trust with interest.

He has already scored twice in three Premier League 2 games under Betsy. This was also the case in the 3-3 draw on Monday against reigning champions Manchester City.

“Thanks to Lino Sousa, the new signing we signed this season,” says Betsy.

“He played 90 minutes for the U18s on Saturday. And to show some stamina to play again – we’ve had some injuries to players who went into the first team – he came and played at that level for 75 minutes.

“Excellent. That’s the level of character we want to build for our young, strong Gunners and we’re continuing to do that.”

Sousa has made nine appearances for Arsenal at youth level and has twice captained the U18 side.

Betsy also spoke glowingly about Ruell Waters, Jack Henry-Francis, and Miguel Azeez Charlie Patino is the best kid I’ve ever seen after that six-goal thriller with City.

Mika Biereth scored twice on Monday and has 10 goals in 19 PL2 games.

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