Arsene Wenger has hinted that he sees Chuba Akpom as a first team striking option by saying he won’t be sending the youngster out on loan this season.
The 19 year old bagged a hat-trick against the Singapore Select XI as Arsenal ran out 4-0 winners, but with Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck, Theo Walcott and Alexis in his way for a place in the side, it was expected that he’d spend some time this season on loan.
However, after the game the Arsenal manager seemed to rule that out, replying when asked if that was his plan, “No. I sent him out on loan last year because I thought he needed that. This pre-season, during the season I plan to keep him with us.”
And on his role in the team and how often he might play, he said, “That’s up to him. How much? I don’t know but I just believe that it’s an encouragement to do well and to work even harder.
“He’s a young player and it can lift his confidence. The confidence in the dressing room that you sense from the other players is important as well and that can help him. Let’s not forget it’s a friendly.
“He’s a good talent but he has to work and show that in [the big] games. It’s down to performance and attitude. He has that grade to make between being a big talent and after an efficient talent week in, week out. That’s of course the target.”
Despite what he’s saying here, we wouldn’t be at all surprised if a loan move happened. His development won’t continue the right way without regular football, and due to his place in the pecking order he’s unlikely to get that at Arsenal.
Still, it’s a sign that Wenger is prepared to give him a chance, so let’s see what happens.
Come on Akpom!
Well, he now has an excuse not to buy another striker. Thanks Chuba…
You can’t really blame the player. If arsene and board are so naive to depend on an unproven-raw teenager, then its clear who is really to blame here.
I don’t think Wenger is under any illusions about Akpom being ready. It sounds more that he has recognised that the previous loan spells at Coventry, Brentford and Forest were all dismal – not a single goal – and sees no point in repeating the experiment. Except at youth-team level (which is what today was) Akpom isn’t yet prolific enough to be useful, so no Premiership club would give him much playing time. Keeping him with us and letting him train with the first team is probably the best bet both for his confidence and his skills. Hence the emphasis… Read more »
Brucejuice, one question for you; how proven was Anelka when he broke through and helped us win the double?
He was also 19 when that happened!
Good. If personal opinion counts for anything, I think Chuba is better than Sanogo.
i’m better than Sanogo, too.
Better option than Sanogo, and am glad Wenger seems to have placed him higher in the pecking order now.
At this point he could become an Anelka or a Kevin Campbell.
Definitely an interesting option though. And unless we sign a Benzema, I’d say go with Giroud, Danny, and Chuba for next season.
*Benzema OR any other top striker…
Giroud, Danny and Chuba, what a fearsome strike force! They may as well just hand us the treble already.
Rumour that Gnabry may be in line for a possible loan, bid on Campbell from Moyes. IF so, then 25 man squad has space for one more player in the striker/winger role even with Akpom in as understudy feature. CF – Giroud, Welbeck, Walcott RW – Ox, Akpom LW – Alexis, (New Player) AM – Ozil, Santi CM – Ramsey, Jack DM – Coquelin, Arteta, Flamini RB – Bellerin, Debuchy LB – Monreal, Gibbs CB – Per, Calum (Free role) CB – Koscileny, Gabriel GK – Cech, Szsc, Martinez Some rumours about a big deal being worked on from Germany.… Read more »
You forgot Rosicky, mate. And if I remember correctly, under-21s aren’t included in the 25-man squad anyway, so Akpom doesn’t need a place on that list to have a shot at getting some game time outside the COC.
No mention of Wellington!
Maybe he got the boot…
A home grown number 9 hero would be absolutely amazing!
Don’t understand people who keep judging Sanogo this early on.
Firstly he is a different player to Akpom
More likely (IF he develops) he will take over from Giroud.
He is still young considering Ramsey Walcott were similarly dismissed before they were full article at 23.
He has made a good choice to go to Ajax to develop. as with Jenkinson, the loan will do him good with regular competitive football.
He is a bit shit though…I’ll get my coat…:-)
…as the legend that was, Eric Morcombe said… “come on..be honest”!! :-))
Interesting to hear that you understand a players potential better than AW.
“Interesting to hear that you understand a players potential better than AW” Oh c’mon man, open your damn eyes: -Horrible first touch -Horrible balance -Horrible shooting -Ok with hold up play -Good size Usually, you can see a hint of talent in a youngster, some elements elements of his game that are promising. I failed to see what good could ever come out for sticking with Sanogo for years to come I suppose that GOD Wenger also see something special in our backup plan at DM position? I suppose you were 100% with him when he failed all those years… Read more »
First friendly of the pre-season against a really weak team and Akpom scores 3 and is the great talent (true but still too young to play more than the odd game) but Sanogo plays a later pre-season against a much better opposition and scores 4 but he’s shit…. Or maybe too many of you are only interested in what a player does now, not his past or potential for the future. I’m not saying Sanogo will be a world beater but having seen Drogba play a game at Le Mans years ago, I can guarantee Sanogo is a better player… Read more »
yet he has had more impact on games than people u would consider proper talent.. i remember him making immediate impact as a sub in the fa cup matches.. was not too bad against dortmund.. balance and shit doesnt really matter.. kanu was a clumsy player but he contributed really well..
I saw him play a club down in Singapore
Where it rains all day but he keeps scoring more
Ch-ch-ch Chuba
Ch-ch-ch ch Chuba-ah
Famous Gooner Raymond Douglas Davies: “Lola”
Gotta love the Manager-Player relationship. Wenger joked with Iwobi about the two chances he had.
PS- I hate Mourinho
Sanogo makes Akpom look like fuckin’ Messi!
I think we may have a new striker coming in…this “it’s my plan” stuff which can be changed later to “that was my plan before “XXXXXX” became available”…could be financial posturing during on-going negotiations.
Do we believe in the Muzzie bloke?…”transfer of the season coming”!??
Anyway COYG!
Hey young boy, don’t believe Wenger because there are men and I mean real men ahead if you + this team is an ambitious team now
Let’s not get carried away…
Akpom can be a good striker if gets regular games by so doing we can uplift trophies in his presence.
With alexis and welbz out at the season’s start it would be wise to keep him around.
when you look at the first team players now we have a mixture of youth and experience and to mention an old cliche (no not the player) “you wont win nothing with kids” the 18 plus trophies says it all so dont see the spend the money culture which everyone is obssesed with maybe if we succeed we would be more fulfilled proving its not about the money we have spent and wisely year on year we are getting less restrained on finances and building sponsors this club is in football terms will be here when others have sunk