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Arsenal promote academy player Jeff Reine-Adelaide

ByJocelyn Taub|
SAN JOSE, CA - JULY 28: (L) Chuba Akpom celebrates scoring the 2nd Arsenal goal with (L) Jeff Reine-Adelaide during the MLS All-Star Game between the MLS All-Stars and Arsenal at the Avaya Stadium on July 28, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - JULY 28: (L) Chuba Akpom celebrates scoring the 2nd Arsenal goal with (L) Jeff Reine-Adelaide during the MLS All-Star Game between the MLS All-Stars and Arsenal at the Avaya Stadium on July 28, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal have promoted an Academy star

Arsenal’s search for a new striker continues as the kick-off to the Premier League season fast approaches. While rumors continue to swirl and names such as Lacazette, Mahrez and Ben Yedder continue to pop up, a post from Arsenal’s official Instagram account got fans talking about something else this week.

The announcement that 18 year-old academy player Jeff Reine-Adelaide had been promoted to Arsenal’s first team was met with excitement and anticipation of what may be. His play with Arsenal during the club’s preseason preparations as well as his performances with the Arsenal Under 21’s last year had been noted by Arsene Wenger.

Reine-Adelaide was signed from Lens last summer after representing France at the Under-16 and 17 levels. He soon made his Arsenal debut during the 2015 Emirates Cup. He came on as a second half substitute in the Gunner’s 6-0 win versus Lyon.

He impressed in his brief cameo and was named to the starting lineup in the tournament’s final versus Wolfsburg. It was here that the then 17-year-old truly got the attention of the Arsenal faithful. He played for more than an hour and set up the only goal of the match.

His pass to Theo Walcott in the 75th minute was perfectly placed and allowed Walcott to score the winner which gave Arsenal the match and the tournament. Afterwards, Wenger was quoted on the club’s website saying that ‘Reine-Adelaide is something special’.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 26: Theo Walcott of Arsenal celebrates with team mate Jeff Reine-Adelaide during the Emirates Cup match between Arsenal and VfL Wolfsburg at the Emirates Stadium on July 26, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 26: Theo Walcott of Arsenal celebrates with team mate Jeff Reine-Adelaide during the Emirates Cup match between Arsenal and VfL Wolfsburg at the Emirates Stadium on July 26, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

With preparations underway for the 2016-2017 campaign, Reine-Adelaide was included in the starting line-up for Arsenal’s preseason friendly with his former club at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis on July 22nd . He was then confirmed as part of the Arsenal squad travelling to the west coast for preseason matches with the MLS All-Stars and Chivas de Guadalajara.

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Rene-Adelaide is no longer listed on Arsenal’s Under 21 squad on the team’s official website. His name and new uniform number will soon be included on the roster with the rest of the first team regulars.

Time will tell what role and impact Reine-Adelaide has on Arsenal’s upcoming season but some believe that Wenger may use Reine-Adelaide further forward as the Gunner’s begin the campaign with a shortage of striking options.

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