Who is Trae Coyle? Arsenal's academy star ready to make an impact in the first team
Mikel Arteta has offered a glimpse into his plans ahead of the Premier League's restart by promoting academy prospect Trae Coyle to Arsenal's first-team squad.
With the Premier League set to restart on June 17, a key concern is an increase in injuries due to a lack of match fitness, meaning clubs will have to utilise their squads in full.
An option being considered is for Premier League clubs to be allowed up to five substitutions per game, a format adopted by the German Bundesliga.
And with Coyle - who is yet to make his debut for Arsenal - spotted in first-team training, perhaps the youngster is in line to make an impact in the remainder of the season.
Here is everything you need to know about the 19-year-old forward...
Career to date
Coyle has spent his entire career with The Gunners, joining all the way back in 2009, aged just eight years old. And after representing Arsenal at both U18 and U23 level, the Englishman signed his first professional contract with the club in June of last year.
The versatile forward - capable both as an attacking midfielder and a striker - scored four goals in 15 games during a breakout campaign for the U18 side in the 2016-17 season, with a goal and two assists coming in a 4-2 win against north London rivals Tottenham.
After fluctuating between Arsenal's youth teams last season, Coyle has cemented his place in the U23 team this season, scoring twice and providing three assists in 15 games.
And with the Premier League set to return in June, Coyle could perhaps find himself deputising in the first-team squad.
Playing style
Coyle is renowned for his versatility, able to play on either flank of the midfield or as a striker.
The Englishman has a natural eye for goal, can spot a pass and is capable on both feet, with perhaps his finest performance coming in an 8-0 win against Swansea for the U18s back in 2019.
He completed a hat-trick with a simple tap-in adding to a sublime turn, shimmy and shot into the top corner, alongside a sumptuous free-kick from range.
Why has Coyle been promoted now?
The obvious answer, of course, is that Arteta is going to need additional reinforcements as Arsenal restart their campaign.
But looking more into the long-term, Arteta is perhaps aware he will have limited funds available to him this summer due to the financial impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
Arteta may look to players such as Coyle - alongside Matt Smith who has also joined the youngster in first-team training - to see if they can save the clubs millions by promoting from within.
With Coyle flourishing at all youth levels to date, there's no reason to suggest he can't make an impact in the first-team.
