Vadim Harutyunyan receives his first call-up to Armenia U-21 national team

Vadim Harutyunyan, a midfielder of the Belarusian club Arsenal Dzerzhinsk, has received his first call-up to the Armenia U-21 national team. The news was announced by the club’s official account.

The training camp will take place from November 10 to 18. During this period, Armenia U-21 will play two UEFA European U-21 Championship qualifying matches: on November 14 against Montenegro U-21, and on November 18 against Sweden U-21. Both matches will be held in Armavir, Armenia.

Harutyunyan is a product of Lokomotiv Moscow’s academy. This is already his second season on loan at Arsenal Dzerzhinsk, where he has established himself as one of the key players. In the current season, the 20-year-old midfielder has played 27 matches, scoring 2 goals and providing 1 assist.

Previously, in 2023, Arutyunyan was called up to Armenia U-19, where he played two matches. Since then, he had not been invited again, but his consistent performance in the Belarusian Premier League has earned him a place in the U-21 squad.

In the Armenia U-21 team, Harutyunyan will replace Artom Bandikyan, who has been called up to the senior national team. Bandikyan played primarily as a right-back, whereas Arutyunyan’s main role is central midfield. However, Vadim has experience playing as a full-back, giving the coaching staff tactical flexibility.

Among Harutyunyan’s strong qualities are his precise passing and powerful long-range shots — last season he recorded 6 assists. The question remains where exactly the coaches plan to use him in the upcoming matches, considering the midfield duo of Hamlet Sargsyan and Karlen Hovhannisyan is already established, while the right-back position is now vacant after Bandikyan’s promotion.