Arsenal’s latest young prodigy Chuba Akpom has stated he does not want to be sent out on loan again this season.
The forward believes that he can offer the Gunners something extra by staying at the club this season, which he admitted was his only desire.
Akpom has already launched an impressive campaign for his services up top, following an impressive pre-season with the first team.
The youngster hit home a hat-trick in Singapore during his first start for the senior side, and has since featured in both of Arsenal’s games at the Emirates Cup.
And now the 19-year-old believes that run of form will open the eyes of Arsenal fans, who have been stressing over the ongoing failure to sign a world-class striker this summer.
It’s really good preparation, the experience for me and the other young players to get minutes and show people what we can do,
It’s nice to see the young players doing well and the boss says he will always give opportunities to young players who are doing their job,
The main thing for me is for a manager to have confidence and faith in me, so for the manager to say that he isn’t after another striker is good.
Akpom has been eager to get his chance in the spotlight with the senior squad, having already been loaned out on three separate occasions.
Those season-long spells were spent at Coventry, Brentford and Nottingham Forest so the chances for top-level football have been limited in recent years.
But with the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott to train with, Akpom feels like he’s learning a lot by staying at the club.
I’d prefer to stay here and fight for a place and give it my all and compete with the other strikers,
There is a lot of talent in the team but I think I am capable of competing and getting a place in the team, it’s all down to hard work.
Arsenal fans will be the first to judge on Akpom’s performances in the near future, after casting doubt over the youngster in recent years for his seemingly ‘grumpy’ attitude.
And despite being at the club since he was six years old, the Englishman now faces a challenge off of the pitch to pick up the support of the Gunners community.
That is something that will do a heap of good for the out and out striker, and he couldn’t have been handed a better time to be a part of this Arsenal side.
This season I think everyone will say there is good team spirit and cohesion since we went on tour and now, so the team is looking strong and I think we have a chance of a major trophy.
Hopefully w can keep tis team strong for many years to come. There are a lot of young players coming through and everyone will be familiar with how players play and that can only make players stronger.
Although it seems Akpom has made his decision regarding his future, we are ultimately still waiting for confirmation from Wenger, who is remaining coy over his transfer plans.
Recent press conferences have suggested the Frenchman is ready to spend big on a top striker like Karim Benzeman, which would put Akpom’s chances of a first team space in jeopardy.
And as for all the positives he will get from being around players of top ability, he won’t be getting in a regular selection for another two to three years at Arsenal.
Therefore, a final loan option would really benefit Akpom in my eyes, but this time it has to be with a Premier League side like Crystal Palace or West Brom.
He is a player that can sometimes play up with his attitude, and you can be sure neither Alan Pardew or Tony Pulis will put up with that, but will also be able to offer regular, competitive football.
Time can only tell whether Akpom will stay with the Gunners next season, but let us know what you think by commenting below!
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