Arsenal’s 16-year-old prodigy chose to play as a forward because of Ronaldo

The 16-year-old Arsenal prodigy Marli Salmon has recently opened up about his growth process.

Marli Salmon, a 16-year-old talent from the Hale End academy, is regarded as one of Arsenal’s brightest prospects. Last summer, coach Mikel Arteta included Salmon along with several other young players in the Asian tour squad.

In matches against AC Milan and Newcastle United, he made a strong impression with his mature style of play, drawing comparisons to the “steel shield” William Saliba from the first team. Many Arsenal fans even dubbed this young star the "new defensive prodigy."

Few know that Salmon originally started as a forward. He revealed on Arsenal’s official site: “When I was young, I played as a forward, mainly because I idolized players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi”. But the turning point in his career came during his very first trial at Hale End. “Scouts spotted me playing as a forward, but the coaches moved me to center-back. I performed well, and that position has stuck with me ever since. I was very young then, and wearing the Arsenal jersey was a great joy, so I didn’t mind where I played.”.

Salmon’s case isn’t unique. Arsenal legend Sol Campbell also played as a forward and midfielder while at Tottenham before switching to center-back and becoming an icon. Many young talents are initially placed in advanced roles to maximize their skills before finding their best position. Campbell became Arsenal’s defensive cornerstone, and experts believe Salmon could follow a similar path.

In recent years, Arsenal has rarely produced a truly top-class center-back from their youth system. Salmon’s rapid progress is raising hopes at Emirates for “a new Saliba” to emerge directly from the academy. If he maintains his form and develops properly, this 16-year-old could become a future key player for the Gunners, much like Saliba is today.