A football prodigy dubbed 'Little Messi' who was taken into Arsenal's pre-academy this year aged just FOUR is now being scouted by at least three other top clubs.

Zayn Ali Salman, now five, has just started school, but is being courted by London rivals Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Fulham.

The talented tot made history by becoming the youngest ever recruit at the Gunners and now plays with their under 7s.

He was scouted in August when Arsenal talent spotter Stephen Deans was tipped off about the youngster's skills by coaches at his grassroots team, First Touch Football Academy in Northwood, north west London.

Zayn took the youth team by storm when he was quickly moved to the under 7s, then onto the under 9s because he was too good for those age groups.

Proud dad Ali, who is an Arsenal fan himself, said the scouts were amazed at little Zayn's talent at such a young age.

The 37-year-old said: "He was scouted by Arsenal while still at nursery.

"They heard about him playing at his local team on a Saturday. When they saw him play, they just couldn't believe what they were seeing.

"He's a small kid, going up against boys twice his age, but he's not phased by it at all.

"When he first went to his local team they realised there was something about him and he was embarrassing the other under 5s, so they moved him to under 7s and he just annihilated them as well so now he's with the under 9s and week-in-week out he's player-of-the-match. He's literally the best player there and they're twice his age.

"As soon as Stephen Deans [Arsenal talent scout] heard about him he came to see Zayn play. He said he couldn't get his head around the fact he was only four and that he was still in nursery."

Videos Ali has taken of his son's dribbling skills and posted on social media showed him darting past players twice his height and smashing the ball into the net.

The fearless youngster's dedicated Instagram page has racked up thousands of views from fans from all over the world who marvelled at his balance and skill.

Ali believes Zayn's abilities come from his body being highly developed from an early age.

He said his son was able to look around not long after being born, has amazing balance, and could walk after just 10 months.

This compilation was created on the 24th October 2021.