Player Profile: Lino Sousa

Lino Sousa

Player Profile: Lino Sousa

By Jack Lacey-Hatton

The latest addition to the Arsenal Academy, Lino Sousa will hope to follow in the footsteps of Ashley Cole, Gael 
Clichy and Kieran Tierney to become one of the clubs great modern full-backs.

The 17-year-old left-back joined last month and although fans may not know much about him at the moment, hopes are high he can become the latest young starlet to make an impact on the first team.

Let’s find out just who is Lino Sousa? And what can Arsenal fans expect from the new signing.
 

Who is he?

Sousa was born in 2005 and until his move to Arsenal had spent his youth career at West Brom.

He holds both English and Brazilian citizenship courtesy of his family, although he has represented England at most junior levels so far, including under-15 and under-16.

His talent was so obvious to those in the West Brom coaching set-up that he spent the last few years playing two years above his age group.

Sousa was also part of the Baggies youth side that reached last year’s FA Youth Cup semi-finals.

He is an athletic left-back who is comfortable with the ball at his feet and joining in attacks through both underlapping and overlapping. 

The coaches at West Brom also remarked on his high energy levels and his ability to read the game with ease. He has also performed on the left wing in the past, showing a decent level of versatility
 

How did Arsenal sign him?

Arsenal Head of Academy Operations and former captain Per Mertesacker decided to target Sousa due to the lack of options at left-back within the academy.

Competition from other Premier League clubs was strong, with a number of top-flight teams scouting the talented youngster, but once it was agreed Arsenal needed to bring him in as early as possible, the club’s recruitment team made their move swiftly.

In joining the Gunners, he has also put pen to paper on his maiden professional contract - at the Championship club he was signed on youth-team forms.

On arriving, Sousa told the club website: "It’s an amazing feeling.

“I’d like to thank the club for giving me this opportunity to be here and I’m just really excited to get going, to be honest. I feel really good.

“The players have made me feel welcome and I’ve been with the under-18s and under-23s and they’re a really good bunch of lads!”
 

When will he play for the first team?

Left-back has been something of a problem position for the Gunners in recent years and his arrival will bring some added depth.

Kieran Tierney has proved an exceptional signing but has had some tough injury battles.

Meanwhile, Nuno Tavares has had a mixed start to life in English football and was hooked in the recent FA Cup defeat at Nottingham Forest.

Although Sousa will initially work within the academy, he could be drafted up to the first-team squad if needed.
Even if his debut for the senior squad is still a few years away, make no mistake, Sousa is a shrewd signing.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

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