Ryan Alebiosu faced an agonising wait as Arsenal took their time before deciding whether to offer him a professional contract, but the youngster is now set for an extended stay at the club.
Arsenal have yet to confirm whether Alebiosu has accepted their offer of a new deal, but the 18-year-old has been at Hale End recently and is set to remain at the club.
Alebiosu is most effective as a right winger but has also often been used as a right-back.
Last season Alebiosu also made his debut for the U23s, featuring as a substitute in a defeat to Liverpool, and he is now set to be a fully-fledged member of the squad at that level.
Although he is fast and skilful, Alebiosu certainly needs to improve his end product – he failed to score in 24 appearances for the U18s and made just one assist.
Over the past year Alebiosu has become rather stronger physically, and he has also improved significantly defensively.
It is hoped that, having been given a new deal, Alebiosu will be able to develop further next season and justify Arsenal’s decision to keep him on.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Brilliant and good luck to him. Sounds like a future fullback rather than a winger.