Arsenal shop at Caicedo's academy

They already have a huge number of talented players — from Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, who have been part of the first team for some time now, to Max Dowman, who is seriously knocking on the door of the senior squad. Even though the years ahead already look promising, Arsenal are clearly thinking far into the future as well. That is why they completed another deal for the future. More precisely, a double deal. Arsenal officially announced the arrival of 16-year-old twins — Edwin and Holger Quintero — from Independiente del Valle. The talented Ecuadorian duo signed five-year contracts with the London club, but they will officially join in August 2027, when they come of age.

Reportedly, Arsenal have been monitoring the Quintero brothers for more than a year. Edwin plays as a right winger and is compared in his homeland to a young Neymar, while Holger is most comfortable as an attacking midfielder and, in terms of playing style, is closest to Thiago Alcantara. Both are members of Ecuador’s U17 national team, but neither has yet made his senior debut in club football. That, however, did not stop Arsenal’s executives from setting aside around 10 million euros for the super-talented duo, according to the British media, in order to beat the competition to their signatures. At the same time, they continue preparing the ground for the next generation, having already secured the arrivals of 16-year-old attacking midfielder Victor Ojiangwa from Shamrock and, much earlier, 19-year-old goalkeeper Tommy Setford from Ajax.

Historic night for Arsenal - Max Dowman becomes youngest-ever UCL debutant

Independiente, meanwhile, has established itself in recent years as a breeding ground for Ecuadorian talent. Its academy also produced current Arsenal first-team player Piero Hincapie, as well as Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo, and a number of other Ecuadorian teenagers have already followed in their footsteps. Chelsea have already snapped up Kendry Paez, who is currently developing at Strasbourg; in mid-November they also secured 16-year-old center-back Deinner Ordonez, while 17-year-old Justin Lerma will join Borussia next June.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 15

Saturday

15.30: (4.00) Aston Villa (3.45) Arsenal (1.95)

18.00: (3.30) Bournemouth (3.70) Chelsea (2.20)

18.00: (2.25) Everton (3.35) Nott.Forest (3.50)

18.00: (1.28) Man.City (6.75) Sunderland (10.5)

18.00: (1.30) Newcastle (5.50) Burnley (10.0)

18.00: (2.35) Tottenham (3.40) Brentford (3.00)

20.30: (4.20) Leeds (4.00) Liverpool (1.85)

Sunday

17.00: (1.60) Brighton (4.35) West Ham (5.70)

19.30: (2.55) Fulham (3.25) Crystal Palace (2.85)

Monday

23.00: (4.60) Wolverhampton (3.60) Man.Utd. (1.80)

* odds are subject to change