Chelsea talent provides assist for Arsenal as trial continues | OneFootball

Chelsea left-back Marcell Washington continued his Arsenal trial with a game for the u18s on Saturday, providing an assist against Tottenham Hotspur.

Photo via Washington on Instagram

Chelsea 17-year-old Marcell Washington has now spent over a month on his trial with Arsenal, making his first appearance on the pitch for the Gunners’ academy back on February 7th.

Following that start for the Arsenal u21s against West Ham, Washington came off the bench for another u21 game against Crystal Palace last Monday.

The defender then dropped down to the u18s to start against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

Photo via Washington on Instagram

In an eventual 6-4 win for hosts Spurs, Washington initially helped Arsenal to take the lead by setting up Andre Harriman-Annous’ opening goal. Washington found himself free on the left, and he fired in a low cross for Harriman-Annous to finish first time.

Washington played over an hour and was withdrawn at 4-3, with Cam’ron Ismail replacing him.

As well as playing for the u18s and u21s, Washington was also recently involved in first-team training with Arsenal.

It will be particularly interesting to see what happens on Tuesday, with Arsenal due to face Chelsea in an u18 Premier League fixture. If Washington features for the Gunners in that game, it certainly suggests he’s edging closer to making his trial move permanent.

Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

With Henry Jeffcott leaving last summer and Myles Lewis-Skelly stepping up to the first team, Arsenal evidently feel they have a gap to fill in the youth teams at left-back.

The club took Lennon Patterson on a trial from Wolves and held talks over his signing, but the defender ended up joining Sheffield United instead. That seemingly prompted Arsenal’s move to give Washington a trial.

Washington had made four appearances for the Chelsea u18s this season before getting a chance at Arsenal, having made his debut at that level last April.