AFTER Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Max Dowman comes Andre Harriman-Annous.
The 17-year-old forward became the latest Arsenal academy star to make his first-team debut on Wednesday – after joking he was Marcus Rashford’s brother.
Mikel Arteta threw the youngster straight into the starting XI, leading the line in the 2-0 victory over Brighton at the Emirates, on the day Dowman became Arsenal’s youngest competitive starter at 15 years and 302 days old.
Harriman-Annous impressed up front in the No71 shirt, coming close to scoring before 77 minutes before being replaced by Declan Rice.
Mikel Arteta said: “We made two huge debuts for Max and Andre and that feeling of giving the opportunity to somebody and fulfilling a dream is unique.
“Since pre-season when Andre was with us, I was very impressed with him.
“First of all his mentality, how much he wants it. That’s the first ingredient. He’s desperate to achieve his dream.
“I think he’s been very consistent in training with us and constantly giving us the option to pick him today.
“Today I believe it was the right day for him, for the context and the way he’s playing as well and he certainly proved that he’s got a chance.”
However, it could all have been very different for Harriman-Annous, who actually joined the Tottenham academy for a year after impressing for local club Whetstone Wanderers.
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He made the switch to his beloved Gunners in 2016, though, and has not looked back – becoming the latest Hale End star to impress enough to break into the first team after coming through with Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly and Dowman.
Arteta called the versatile attacker up to train with the first team in February as he shone for Arsenal’s Under-21s last term with 18 goals in 37 games – before being involved in pre-season and making the bench against Liverpool in August.
But Harriman-Annous was making headlines as early as 2024, the year he signed his first pro contract with Arsenal.
That is because he pretended to be Rashford’s younger brother.
As he took his seat in the stands at the Emirates last December, one fan quizzed him.
He said: “You look like Rashford. Are you his brother?”
And quick as a flash, the promising talent replied: “Yeah.”
When the fan asked for his name, he added: “Andre Rashford,” before getting up and walking off.
But while he is not actually related to the on-loan Barcelona forward, Harriman-Annous can lean on his family for some expertise as he makes his way in senior sport.
His brother Brandon plays for Berkamsted in the National League South.
More impressively, though, his cousin is none other than England rugby union captain Maro Itoje, who led the British & Irish Lions to a series win in Australia this summer.
But despite his real relations, it is clear his Rashford quip has stuck with his Arsenal team-mates.
Harriman-Annous took to Instagram following his senior bow, posting: “What a night! A dream come true to start for Arsenal in the Carabao Cup and a proud moment for me and my family to have made my competitive debut for this amazing club.
“Thanks to God for the opportunity that he has given me. Forever grateful for this opportunity and happy to be in the next round.”
And William Saliba hilariously commented: “Rashford,” followed by heart-eyes emojis – prompting more than 5,600 likes within ten hours.
Fellow senior stars Saka, Rice, Gabriel and Jurrien Timber also replied – as did Dowman.
And ex-Arsenal academy coach and new Luton boss Jack Wilshere typed: “Well done Andre.”
5ft 11ins Harriman-Annous is undoubtedly not short of talent – and clearly has plenty of confidence, physicality and a healthy dose of humour to go with it.
Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly have set the blueprint in recent times to break in and become a first-team regular under Arteta in recent years.
Now, with the support and guidance of Itoje, the England youth international will hope to do the same.
Who knows, he may even get a helping hand from his ‘brother’ Marcus, who knows a thing or two about bursting on to the scene at one of England’s biggest clubs as a teenager…
Arsenal ratings: Max Dowman can be the Gunners’ Lamine Yamal but Mosquera narrowly avoids embarrassment
ARSENAL picked up a decisive 2-0 win over Brighton at the Emirates to move to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup
And the Gunners did it in style with manager Mikel Arteta making 10 changes to his side.
Arteta handed Arsenal academy graduates Max Dowman and Andre Harriman-Annous their first ever starts in the senior squad.
And Dowman made history with a stunning performance as the youngest player to start a match for a Premier League side across all competitions at 15 years and 302 days.
Here’s how Kostas Lianos rated each Arsenal star…
