Arsenal have completed the signing of 19-year-old Archie Stevens who departed from Scottish side Rangers at the end of last season.
The Gunners have added yet another young talent to their squad after Stevens successfully a trial period with Arsenal this summer.
Stevens has represented England at under 17 and under 18 level. He made ten appearances for those combined and managed to score once. During his time with the national side, he played with some current young gunners such as Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Tommy Setford.
Arsenal’s academy manager Per Mertesacker chose to sign Stevens after he impressed during the two preseason games against Chelmsford City and Monaco II.
Who is Archie Stevens?
Archie Stevens is right winger who can also play on the left side or even centrally. He’s quick and heavily direct who can confidently take on defenders and beat them in one v one scenarios.
Stevens was at AFC Wimbledon during his early teens before signing for Rangers in the summer of 2022 at the age of 16. In that same year, he made his one and only appearance for the Rangers’ first team in a Scottish League Cup match against Queen of The South where his side came out as 3-1 winners.
Whilst at Rangers, he regularly featured for the youth side and even scored in the Scottish Youth Cup final in 2023.
In the January transfer window of last season, Stevens signed for Scottish Championship side Dunfermline Athletic on loan. He made ten appearances for them before he returned to Rangers and was then eventually released.
Multiple Premier League clubs such as Manchester United and Brighton were interested in him during his time in Scotland, but it was Arsenal who won the race for the teenager.
Stevens signs for Arsenal
Arsenal announced the signing of Archie Stevens yesterday on social media with Per Mertesacker praising the teenager’s ability. He scored his first goal for Arsenal during their 2-0 win over Monaco II last month.
Young players such as Stevens should be excited with what’s to come at Arsenal. Since Mikel Arteta took charge of the gunners in December 2019, he has played multiple players from the academy. Names such as Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah and Folarin Balogun all developed significantly since the Spaniard took charge and are all playing at a very high level.
Arsenal take on Port Vale in the third round of the Carabao Cup next week. It’s unlikely but not impossible that Stevens could feature. Jack Porter, Charles Sagoe Jr, Charlie Patino, Josh Nicholls, Maldini Kacurri, Ismael Kabia and Karl Hein all made their first appearances for Arsenal’s first team via the Carabao Cup under Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal U21 welcome Wolves U21 for a Premier League 2 game on the 20th September. That will most likely be Stevens’ opportunity to feature in a competitive game for the first time in his new colours.