16-year-old defender Marli Salmon makes his Champions League debut for Arsenal

Marli Salmon became the sixth youngest competitor to feature in the Champions League when brought on as a late substitute in Arsenal s - win at Club Brugge on Wednesday Salmon is years days and came on for Ben White at Jan Breydelstadion with manager Mikel Arteta saying We knew that at certain point we had to use him He s so young still and he s playing in the Champions League Arteta stated But Salmon is not even the youngest athlete that Arsenal has fielded this season That distinction goes to Max Dowman who was years days when he entered as a second-half substitute against Slavia Prague last month According to UEFA Salmon is the third participant or younger that Arsenal has fielded in the Champions League after Dowman and former midfielder Jack Wilshere That s why we put so much work and everybody in the academy puts in so much enthusiasm and work reported Arteta And for a long time you have to prepare those talents So thanks to them because when we need them they are there they are ready to perform Dowman is the youngest athlete ever to play in European club soccer s top competition taking that record from Youssoufa Moukoko who was years days when he appeared for Borussia Dortmund in Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal is the third youngest having made his debut in the competition at the age of years days in Wearing No Salmon is described by Arsenal as a gifted ball-playing center back He first joined the club s academy playing for the Under- organization His first Champions League appearance came before he s even played a senior domestic league or cup battle for Arsenal He played for the U s in the Football League Trophy in September AP soccer https apnews com hub soccer Source