Prospective CanMNT intl. Marcelo Flores set for Premier League debut for Arsenal
Highly-touted academy prospect Marcelo Flores has been included in Mikel Arteta's squad for Arsenal's upcoming Premier League clash at Crystal Palace, marking his first call-up to the Gunners' senior team.
The prospective Canadian international has flirted with accepting call-ups to either John Herdman's Canadian national team or the Mexican national team of late, having recently made his senior international debut with El Tri in a friendly vs. Chile in December.
So proud and excited with the first call up of @marceloflores with the first team @arsenal
— Ruben Flores ⚽️ (@Ruboflores) April 3, 2022
Good luck son ❤️ you’ve been preparing all your life for moments like this #Flor3s
Still, the prize attacking midfielder has not been officially cap-tied to Mexico, leaving the door open for a Canada call-up and a chance to feature in the 2022 FIFA World Cup's fairytale underdog story.
Flores' allegiances to Mexico could be swayed now that Canada has clinched its spot in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
His time at Arsenal suggests Flores would be a major coup for Herdman, if he can pull off a national team reversal.
This season alone, Flores has notched 10 goals in 20 appearances for Arsenal's U-18 and U-23 teams. He's now set for his Premier League debut, should he see play time having been named to the bench for Arsenal's trip to Selhurt Park.
It wouldn't be the first time Herdman has successfully courted a dual national to declare for Canada.
Canadian soccer fans have grown somewhat accustomed to seeing players choose to play for Canada recently, with the team adding the likes of Stephen Eustaquio, Ike Ugbo, Ayo Akinola, Ricardo Ferreira and Theo Corbeanu, to much plaudits.
