Arsenal have 'big hopes' for O'Neill - Arteta

Ceadach O'Neill won his first two Northern Ireland caps in June friendlies [Getty Images] Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been impressed by the maturity and focus shown by Northern Ireland international Ceadach O'Neill. The 18-year-old, who made his international debut in June, has been involved in the Gunners' pre-season preparations, featuring in friendlies against Girona and Real Betis this month. The former Linfield winger also scored in a behind-closed-doors fixture against MK Dons. "I've been really impressed with him," Arteta told BBC Sport NI's Thomas Kane after Wednesday's 3-1 defeat by Betis in Dublin. "For his age, he's really mature, really focused, and he has tremendous quality. "He's a player that we have big hopes with and we just need to develop him in the right way." After 18 goals in 30 games for Arsenal's academy, O'Neill was called up to the Northern Ireland squad before he had made a senior appearance for the Premier League champions. He made his international debut off the bench for Michael O'Neill's side in June's friendly against Guinea and then featured again against France four days later, experiences he feels have helped him going into pre-season. O'Neill, who remains eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland, said he will "hopefully" be involved again with Northern Ireland during their Nations League campaign starting away to Georgia next month but that he is keen to focus on his club career in the interim. "At the minute I'm just going to take it day by day, keep coming in and giving it my best. That's all I can do," he said. "I've been taking to Michael recently but I have to keep pushing at club level and we'll see what happens. "I'm just trying to concentrate at club level and I think that's all I can do. I'm really enjoying what I'm doing and where I'm at."