ARSENAL have continued their ongoing raid of London rivals Chelsea by signing a former Blues academy kid to his first professional contract at the Emirates.
Marcell Washington, son of Chelsea Champions League final hero Ryan Bertrand, has put pen to paper on a pro deal with the Gunners after leaving Chelsea’s youth set-up last season.
The 17-year-old left-back joined Arsenal from their neighbours a trialist last season and has clearly impressed enough to earn a deal with the Gunners.
Washington has big ambitions for his career too, hoping to surpass his dad during his playing days – despite Bertand’s dream European debut in the 2012 Champions League final going down in history in SW6.
Washington said: “I think it’s been such an honour to have him take me through clips and walk me through games that I’ve played.
“He’s really passionate about making me a better player and probably a better version of him. We might have a bit of an argument about it but you get it out of him.”
Washington is keen to win trophies with the Gunners too, adding: “I think it’s a really big club, obviously.
“The club are always striving to win trophies. I’m just looking to be an addition to that and see what I can offer the club.”
The talented defender, who has been handed the number 55 at Arsenal, is ready to compete with the likes of Jurrien Timber and Myles Lewis-Skelly for a place in the first team in the future.
He added: “They’re all great players that play in and around my position, which I think is a really good thing and training with them and getting the opportunities is really good as well.
“Because you obviously want to learn from players with such experience and such high skill with all of the games.”
Washington becomes the latest name on a growing list of players Arsenal have lured away from Stamford Bridge in recent seasons.
Since Mikel Arteta took over in N5, Arsenal have signed five first team players from Chelsea including the likes of Jorginho, Kai Havertz and this summer’s addition of Kepa Arrizabalaga.
It looks like that number is only going to continue climbing too, after news broke of Arsenal coming to an agreement with the Blues over the signing of Noni Madueke.
Arsenal are set to pay a fee in excess of £50m for the winger, who has already agreed a five-year contract with Arteta’s side and is flying home from the Club World Cup in the USA to finalise the deal.
There’s a growing sense of frustration amongst Arsenal fans at the club continually using rivals Chelsea as their summer shopping window, especially following the lack of success many of the players have had after making the jump.
Last season’s loan move for Raheem Sterling and 2020’s arrival of Willian are examples of players who have failed to impress for the Gunners after leaving Chelsea.
Arsenal fans appear to be concerned that history could repeat itself with Madueke, with many being vocal of their displeasure at the impending move.
So much so that an online petition asking Arsenal not to sign the England international has gained almost 5,000 signatures in a matter of days.
While video circulating online has shown murals of Mikel Arteta and Josh Kroenke outside the Emirates Stadium being defaced with obscenities and the words “Arteta Out”.
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