Former Arsenal academy star back training at London Colney after release

Former Arsenal striker Tyreece John-Jules has been training with the Under-21s squad this week after becoming a free agent in the summer.

The 24-year-old left the Gunners in 2024 after spending 15 years at the club. He joined at the age of 8 before becoming a regular in the youth academy. John-Jules never made an appearance for the first team but regularly participated in training.

After impressing Freddie Ljungberg, who was acting as first-team coach at the time, John-Jules used his minutes on the training ground to good use, securing a loan move to Lincoln City.

In 2020, Mikel Arteta named him on the bench for the FA Community Shield win against Liverpool. The forward enjoyed loan moves at Doncaster Rovers, Blackpool, Sheffield Wednesday, Ipswich Town and Derby County.

He joined Cardiff City in October 2024, appearing 27 times in all competitions. However, he was allowed to leave on a free when his contract expired in the summer.

He took part in a PFA-organised friendly in August and impressed with a goal against Brighton & Hove Albion Under-21s. After failing to seal a move before the season, John-Jules has returned to Arsenal with footage from Hayters TV showing the forward training with the Under-21s.

Arsenal's Under-21s have enjoyed a decent start to the 2025/26 season. After losing to Fulham in their opening game, they have beaten Brighton, Wolves and Derby County in Premier League 2, while also beating Newport County in the EFL Trophy.

The 24-year-old is good friends with forward Noni Madueke and was pictured during the winger's signing announcement during the summer transfer window. Madueke signed from Chelsea for £48.5million in the summer and has impressed since his arrival.

Previously, defender Tino Quamina returned to the club's training base after his release. After being released, the versatile teenager trained with the Under-18s after previously helping the club reach the FA Youth Cup final.

Goalkeeper Remy Mitchell has also been invited back to train with Arsenal. Mitchell left the Gunners for Swansea City in 2022 after the expiry of his contract, but he failed to break into the first team.

In August, he was spotted training back with the Under-21s after spending the most part of last season on loan in the Isthmian League North Division with Haringey Borough.

Going even further back, Thierry Henry once returned to London. During his spell at New York Red Bulls, the Highbury legend took to the field to maintain his fitness during the off-season in the MLS.

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