Arsenal has included academy player Ceadach O'Neill in their team selection for tonight's Carabao Cup fixture against Fleetwood. Mikel Arteta is anticipated to make extensive changes to the lineup for this fourth round match because of the opponent.
Who is Arsenal wonderkid Ceadach O'Neill?
Ceadach O'Neill, 18, is a Northern Irish midfielder who joined the Arsenal youth setup in 2024.
He plays mostly as an attacking midfielder or a left winger and possesses a strong scoring ability.
Hailing from Coleraine in County Londonderry, Ceadach played for Northern Ireland Football League club Linfield, debuting in November 2023 at 15 years old.
He went on trial with the Gunners during the same month as his debut and later completed an official transfer to London when the season concluded.
During his first appearance for the Under-18 squad, O'Neill netted two goals in a 3-2 victory against West Ham.
In April 2025, following strong displays within the Gunners academy, the Northern Irish player agreed to his initial professional deal in North London.
During the previous campaign, he netted 18 goals across 30 academy matches spanning three age brackets, finishing as the leading scorer at Hale End.
His displays resulted in a maiden selection for the Northern Ireland senior team, where he made his first appearance during a 1-0 victory over Guinea in June 2026.
O'Neill has since represented his country on three more occasions, which included a friendly fixture against Kylian Mbappe's France prior to the World Cup.
This evening will mark another occasion where he is part of the Arsenal matchday group, having previously sat on the substitutes' bench during a 2-1 defeat against Southampton in the FA Cup last term.
Before the current campaign began, O'Neill traveled with the senior squad on their preseason tour, making appearances against MK Dons, Girona, and Real Betis.
