Family link fuels Gabriel Arteta’s rise into Arsenal U21s

On a London morning, 17‑year‑old Gabriel Arteta Bernal slipped onto Arsenal’s under‑21 training pitch, a step up after signing scholarship terms this week. The sight of Mikel Arteta’s son in the Gunners’ colours highlighted the family connection, and the Premier League confirmed in June that Gabriel had been placed on the club’s retained list for players under contract beyond June 30.

A photo of the session was captured by Michael Regan/Getty Images, showing the young winger’s integration into the higher age group. Club communications refer to him as Arteta Jr, underscoring the family narrative within the Arsenal academy.

He previously featured for the Arsenal U17s last season, playing in a 1‑1 friendly draw with Shrewsbury Town and a 3‑3 Premier League Cup draw with Watford in October. Both matches were documented by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images, highlighting his early exposure to competitive fixtures.

In April and May, Gabriel stepped up to the U18s, making four Premier League appearances for the U18 side. Richard Heathcote/Getty Images recorded his involvement, confirming his readiness for tougher competition.

He has also linked up with Arsenal pre‑season training camps, assisting the coaching staff in 2023 rather than joining drills as a player. The club’s habit of rotating squads in the Cup and friendlies has given him early senior‑level exposure.

Training with the U21s now signals concrete progress and suggests the 17‑year‑old could see further U18 chances this season. The development reflects both his personal growth and the Gunners’ long‑term youth development plan.