Arsene Wenger has recently discussed Arsenal academy wonder kid Chuba Akpom, who is currently out on loan to Championship side Hull City for the season. Thr 19-year-old has been compared to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry by fans, who is regarded as the best footballer to ever wear the red and white.
Akpom has had a very solid spell at Hull so far, featuring in two games, and scoring in each of them, as well as during a penalty in a shootout in the Capital One Cup. Wenger has faith in Akpom and recognises his high potential, saying: “I told him many times that I believe he has the quality to play for Arsenal Football Club.”
The youngster has scored many goals for the youth teams, but has not scored in a competitive match for the first team yet, although, he did bag himself an impressive hat-trick in a pre-season friendly against a select Singapore XI.
Akpom has done well at almost every youth level possible with his above-average pace and strength for his age, but has looked a touch out-of-place in the few first team appearances he has made so far, and Wenger thinks so too: “He’s not completely ready to play [here] yet but the quality is there and the experience can strengthen your belief.”
He will be playing in the Championship alongside some good talent, such as Abel Hernandez, Tom Huddlestone, Mohamed Diame, and fellow Arsenal loanee Isaac Hayden. Gaining experience in the Championship will be vital for his jump to regular first team Premier League football, because it is is a long, grueling season and will get the young Englishman used to featuring against grown, experienced men, rather than teenagers.
Wenger also spoke on how the toughness of England’s second tier will help the development of Akpom: “The experience in the Championship will teach him how to fight, how not to give up, and it’s an important step between youth-team football and the Premier League.”
Akpom will be playing alongside the likes of Huddlestone and Diame, players with proven Premier League experience, and will be provided with good service from the talented Hull midfielders, so he should have a fruitful season in front of goal.
If Akpom wants to fulfill his potential, then he must take hold of this great opportunity to become a better player physically, technically, and most importantly, mentally. He is still only 19-years of age, so his poor performances in senior competitive fixtures for Arsenal should not be any reason to worry. His prolific form at Hull should be the main focus now, and if he carries that throughout the season, he could break into the first team picture for Arsenal this time next year.
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