Arsenal have promoted Catalin Cirjan to training sessions with their first-team squad, after the attacking midfielder’s eye-catching performances for the under-23s. The Gunners are currently floundering in 15th place in the league and the move to promote Cirjan comes as the club aim to add some much needed energy and quality to the squad.
The youngster’s agent and father Catalin Sarmasan publicly confirmed on his Twitter account adding, “He’s got fantastic progress ahead of him. He’ll work hard and achieve his dreams. Good luck, Cata! I’m proud of you!”
The teenager recently began training with the first-team squad under Mikel Arteta and it appears that the Spaniard was impressed with Cirjan to promote him up to train with the squad.
The 18-year-old signed for the Gunners one year ago on a transfer from Romanian team Viitorul Domnești. Since then Cirjan has played part in six Premier League 2 games with the under-23s, scoring one goal and picking up two assists. Cirjan has also made three starts in the EFL Trophy, scoring against Gillingham, and later scoring a magnificent Paneka penalty in the same game, in a shootout to secure a 4-2 victory on penalties for Arsenal.
Arsenal fans seem pleased with the promotion of the youngster, and particularly one who is part of the academy. The Gunners faithful will be hoping that the young crop of players like Cirjan, Miguel Azeez and Ben Cottrell can transform the Arsenal midfield that has lacked creativity and passion over the previous few seasons.
The youngster has made a smooth transition to the senior squad over the past couple of weeks, regularly posting updates on his social media. 19-year-olds Folarin Balogun, Ben Cottrell and 18-year-old, Folarin Balogun, Ben Cottrell and Cirjan were pictured training together with the first-team ahead of their EFL Cup draw against City.
Just last week Arsenal’s technical director Edu Gaspar had confessed that the club were lacking creativity in the middle of the park while talking about their plans in the upcoming window, “It’s quite clear what we need. We need a player with creativity in the middle, we don’t have that in the squad right now.”
Fans will be hoping that Arteta hands a start to the Romanian youngster this season, who potentially be the spark the current Arsenal team are lacking.
