For the youth of Arsenal academy, it’s a collective dream and desire to be promoted to the first team one day and to share the dressing room with Arsenal’s elite.
Akpom seems to be experiencing that dream come, who at the age of 6, joined the Arsenal academy and build an attachment to the club.
He has seen it all, quite literally growing from a boy to man at Arsenal, the young forward played at every level in the Gunners youth set-up before making his debut in 2013 for the first team.
It is rather surprising to say that, Chuba Akpom already the record at the club for scoring the most goals(9) in Arsenal’s preseason campaigns over the past four seasons. He showed great promise early this season by scoring two consecutive goals in the pre-season friendlies in the United States.
It was nothing less than brilliance from him again on Tuesday night against Nottingham as he came on for the final 25 minutes against, adding his name to the score sheet. Though Akpom’s performances should promise him more frequent starts, the manager might still think that the youngster needs more learning.
When asked about his experience the forward said, it felt good to be playing for the first team again and also revealed that he would do anything to get minutes and be a part of the team, even if it was to play in the goal.
Speaking to Arsenal Player, he said:
I think right now I’d play anywhere, I’d play in goal just to get minutes, just to be involved in the team. I didn’t mind playing on the wing today, I’ll play anywhere the boss wants me to play.
Wenger’s search to find a big name striker in the transfer window didn’t seem successful as the Gunners failed in the pursuit of Jamie Vardy and Alexandre Lacazette who were the main targets. Despite signin Perez late in the window, Akpom has enough talent to challenge the strike duo of Giroud and Lucas.
Akpom will be hoping that he did enough to be listed on the team sheet again this weekend as Arsenal play Chelsea. Can Chuba Akpom cement his place in the starting line-up?
