One To Watch: Pass master Clarke could be on right path at Arsenal

Brayden Clarke is one of the hottest young talents around and he looks to be on his way to Arsenal.

The defender has spent his formative years at Wolves but recently announced his departure from Molineux.

Reports claim that the Gunners have won the race to sign the 16-year-old, fending off competition from Premier League rivals.

Ahead of Arsenal's match against Brentford on Saturday, we take a closer look at Clarke and his qualities.

Footballer father

Clarke took to Instagram last week to announce that he was leaving Wolves.

He wrote: "After seven years at Wolves, the time has come for me to move onto a new chapter.

"I want to thank everybody who has helped me along the journey and I wish all of my team-mates at Wolves the best of luck for the future."

Four Premier League clubs were said to be interested in signing Clarke, with Arsenal seemingly having won the race.

The youngster is the son of the former Scotland international Nigel Quashie.

Yet Clarke's international allegiance currently lies with Wales, who he represented at the European Under-17 Championship in 2023.

This was despite being much younger than other players involved as a 15-year-old at the time.

At club level, Clarke has been playing for Wolves in the Under-18 Premier League North this season. He can operate as a central defender or right-back.

Passing ability

Darren Ryan is the elite player development manager at Wolves.

Last year, he spoke about Clarke's involvement with the Welsh U-17s who had just qualified for their first European Championships.

Ryan said: "It's a massive achievement, especially playing in the year above.

"To make history is fantastic. What an opportunity now to go play for his country in a tournament.

"We've always seen his potential and he's very good technically.

"He plays through the lines really well and he's very comfortable on the ball.

"Where he's developed a lot is his maturity and psychologically. He's a really young kid, so it's one massive achievement that he's got into that group, let alone the impact he's had.

"His super strength is his passing through the lines, and his disguised passes as well. The way he's developed in the last 12-18 months, I've seen a big change in him getting more confident.

"He's really finding his feet and becoming comfortable in the Under-18s at Wolves, which has helped him play a year above for his national team as well.

"The background with his family helps. Nigel and his mum Kerry are really level-headed and both understand the academy system."

Arsenal pathway

It now seems likely that Clarke will now continue his footballing education at Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta recently spoke about the difficulties in blooding youngsters at a club that is now competing for major honours.

He said: "Today, to give the opportunities and play in the first team at the level that is required, we are a bit short.

"First of all, we need to produce those talents and they have to earn it. Then we have to produce the talents in the positions that we need to fill."

When the internal development at a club is falling short, it makes sense to poach the best young talent around.

That would seem to be exactly what Arsenal have done with Clarke, who has already made a massive jump in his career journey.