Arsenal youngster suggests he could be Mikel Arteta’s new Declan Rice after signing fresh contract

Arsenal fans will have the opportunity to see several talented Hale End academy players during the club's pre-season activities. The team is currently at a training camp in La Manga, Spain, featuring youngsters like Max Dowman and Ismeal Kabia, with Kabia returning in excellent shape.

Remarkably, 18-year-olds Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri are no longer considered just youth talents, having progressed to become key first-team players. While excitement is high about Dowman's potential breakthrough, more names might emerge following Arsenal's pre-season tour of Asia.

Another prominent youngster at the Spain camp is 18-year-old central midfielder Louie Copley, who recently signed his first professional contract with Arsenal. Copley described signing the deal as the 'highest of the highs'. He expressed particular admiration for current teammate Declan Rice, stating he looks up to Rice the most now, especially after being impressed seeing him train.

Copley, identifying himself as a box-to-box midfielder similar to Rice, explained he watches Rice closely in training to learn and implement aspects of his game, acknowledging Rice is at the very top. He found the intensity and standards of first-team training 'crazy' and noted the shift from being a fan to competing with them. While naming Jack Wilshere and Alexis Sanchez as past players he loved watching, his current focus is on emulating Rice.

Describing his own playing style as full of energy, enjoying both defending and attacking, Copley outlined his ambitions: he wants to establish himself in the under-21s but ultimately aims for the first team, explicitly targeting a first-team appearance this season.