Arsenal track Cardiff 22yo who Arteta’s assistant admires | OneFootball

Arsenal are keeping close tabs on Rubin Colwill of Cardiff City, with Mikel Arteta’s assistant Albert Stuivenberg particularly keen on the player.

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND: Rubin Colwill of Cardiff City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Stoke City and Cardiff City at Bet365 Stadium on November 04, 2023. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)

Cardiff-based journalist Paul Abbandonato reports that he recently learned that Arsenal are keeping close tabs on Rubin Colwill, among other interested clubs.

Abbandonato added that Mikel Arteta’s assistant Albert Stuivenberg pushed hard for Colwill when he was with Wales.

Stuivenberg worked as an assistant manager for the Welsh national team until the summer of 2021, with Colwill making his debut for the side shortly before the Arsenal assistant’s departure.

Colwill has gone on to make eight appearances for his senior national team, scoring one goal. But he has primarily featured for the u21s this season, and he has nine direct goal contributions in nine matches with the u21 side.

CARDIFF, WALES: Rubin Colwill of Wales inspects the pitch prior to the UEFA EURO 2024 Play-Offs Semi-final match between Wales and Finland at Cardiff City Stadium on March 21, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)

22-year-old Colwill is a popular figure in Cardiff, making 39 appearances this season.

In addition to the Stuivenberg connection, Arsenal scouts may also have got a look at Colwill whilst keeping tabs on Runar Alex Runarsson, who was on loan with Cardiff for the first half of the current campaign.

Cardiff have had a middling season in the Championship, finishing mid-table and quite a bit shy of the promotion play-offs in the end.

The chance to make the jump to a Premier League title hopeful with Champions League football would likely appeal to Colwill, if Arsenal made the offer.

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND: Rubin Colwill of Cardiff City runs with the ball during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Sheffield Wednesday and Cardiff City at Hillsborough on January 06, 2024. (Photo by Jess Hornby/Getty Images)

Colwill can play in a number of different positions, but he primarily operates as an attacking midfielder. He’s under contract with Cardiff until 2027.

There’s no word of any bid from Arsenal at this stage, and perhaps their interest has faded in the years since Stuivenberg’s departure from the Wales setup. But it’s one to keep an eye on.