Max Dowman has emerged as the latest standout talent from the Arsenal academy.
However, his close friend Marli Salmon aims to keep pace with him.
Both Dowman and Salmon progressed through the Gunners academy together and are now pushing for first-team opportunities.
The duo should receive a chance to shine tonight when Arsenal travel to face League Two club Fleetwood Town in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
Attention will center on Dowman, who starred in the previous round by scoring twice during a convincing victory at Ipswich.
Salmon also performed well in that fixture, stepping into the center of defense and making very few mistakes.
The 17-year-old displayed remarkable composure on the ball, completing all 65 of his passes without a single misplacement.
This calm demeanor has prompted Arsenal staff to compare Salmon to William Saliba.
The teenager is a dedicated fan of the French player and has analyzed his style while moving up through the academy levels.
Salmon signed his initial professional deal in August on his 17th birthday, though Arsenal had secured his commitment prior to that date.
The club arranged a pre-contract agreement with the defender in April ensuring he would commit to professional terms.
Arsenal executed a similar arrangement with Dowman in January ahead of his professional contract signing in December.
The club wanted to prevent other teams from acquiring their two valuable academy prospects.
Salmon joined Arsenal when he was signed to the Under-11 team.
Initially playing as a striker, he transitioned into a defensive role over the years.
Early on, Salmon distinguished himself through a strong desire to test himself against older players.
Arsenal accommodated this ambition by regularly advancing him to higher age categories.
Salmon possessed a natural confidence and fearlessness, alongside a self-belief that has benefited his career.
Youth coaches remain unsurprised by his progression due to these exact attributes.
His strong training habits and professional attitude also convinced observers he could handle the transition to the senior squad, allowing him to meet the high standards demanded by Arteta.
Arsenal has managed his growth with caution.
The defender trains alongside the senior players while occasionally featuring for youth squads.
Last week, he captained the Under-19 team in a UEFA Youth League fixture against Bayern Munich.
That match demonstrated Salmon's mental resilience.
After conceding a first-half penalty, he equalized after the interval to help Arsenal secure a 3-3 draw.
For the remainder of the campaign, Salmon is expected to alternate between the senior squad and academy teams.
While other clubs might pursue a loan move in January, the Gunners dismissed such interest during the summer.
The club believed Salmon could contribute early in the season, particularly given his ability to cover at right-back or central defense.
Having Dowman nearby within the squad assists Salmon in adjusting.
The friends share the unusual circumstance of changing separately from the senior players on matchdays because they are under 18 years old.
Even so, they are fully integrated members of the group, with Salmon performing Usher's song U Remind Me for his initiation.
The performance pleased the squad, and the defender has handled every challenge so far without issue.
An upcoming match against Fleetwood Town provides another test for Salmon, who continues to adapt smoothly to senior football.
