Who is Andre Harriman-Annous? Mikel Arteta gives teenager huge Arsenal chance vs Brighton

Andre Harriman-Annous has been handed a huge opportunity after being named in Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal starting XI to face Brighton in the Carabao Cup

Mikel Arteta has made a somewhat surprising decision for Arsenal’s Carabao Cup fourth round tie against Brighton and Hove Albion with 17-year-old Andre Harriman-Annous in the starting XI. The Gunners boss often goes strong in cup competitions with the exception of wonderkids such as Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri being involved.

Arsenal beat League One side Port Vale in the last round to reach this stage with Arteta selecting a very strong team.

With such a busy schedule on the horizon and multiple injury worries emerging this past weekend, it would appear he is taking precautions.

That has been highlighted by Harriman-Annous starting to make his first competitive appearance for the senior team with Dowman and Nwaneri also featuring from the off. Arsenal fans are well acquainted to the former duo but not so much to Harriman-Annous.

With that being said, here is everything you need to know about Andre Harriman-Annous..

Having joined the club’s youth academy back in 2016, Harriman-Annous has been representing Arsenal for nearly a decade.

He signed professional terms this past summer and has mostly played for the under-21s since then – with three goals and one assist to his name thus far.

He does have some experience of a senior matchday squad having been an unused substitute for the 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Premier League back in August. His first first-team outing arrived on Arsenal’s pre-season tour when he played 14 minutes of the 3-2 win over Newcastle United.

Prior to that, he enjoyed an impressive campaign at youth level with 18 goals from 37 appearances which included decisive strikes in the FA Youth Cup against Fulham and UEFA Youth League against Paris Saint-Germain.

Arteta was clearly impressed by all of that as he opted to include Harriman-Annous in first-team training back in February. The Gunners’ attacking injury crisis saw him become an option if required though he did not receive a promotion to a matchday squad last season.

The teenager is certainly well aware of what it will take to reach the top of elite sport as he the cousin of England national rugby union caption Mario Itoje. Brandon, Harriman-Annous’ brother, also currently plays for National League South team Berkhamsted.

Starting for the Arsenal first-team at Emirates Stadium is a huge opportunity for Harriman-Annous and he will certainly be looking to take advantage especially with Kai Havertz expected back from injury soon.

It is also a landmark day for Dowman as at 15 years and 302 days old, he will become the youngest player to start for Arsenal.

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