Arsenal hand 17-year-old Marli Salmon first professional contract

Arsenal have secured the future of teenage defender Marli Salmon after handing the Hale End graduate his first professional contract on his 17th birthday. According to DailyCannon, Salmon has already made four senior appearances for the Gunners after progressing rapidly through the academy.

The versatile defender can operate at centre-back or right-back and captained Arsenal’s Under-19 side in the UEFA Youth League. He made his senior debut against Club Brugge in December 2025 at just 16 years and 103 days, becoming Arsenal’s youngest European debutant. Salmon joined the club at Under-11 level.