It has been clear for some time that Miguel Azeez has a genuine chance of, at the very least, getting into the first-team squad at Arsenal.
The 18-year-old has already made his competitive debut, which came against Dundalk in December, and tonight he could be named amongst the substitutes against Slavia Prague.
While it may be unlikely that Azeez will receive any playing time tonight, his involvement with the squad for a Europa League quarter-final tie is further evidence of how highly rated he is by the club.
Azeez has taken significant steps forward in his development this season. His excellent passing range remains intact, while he is now far more adept at controlling the ball under pressure than he was previously.
This season Azeez has been one of the standout performers for Arsenal at U23 level and he will also be hoping to help the U18s win the FA Youth Cup.
Further first-team involvement is his main objective, however, and it is likely that next season the midfielder will receive much more senior game time, which could come via a loan spell.
Azeez has much confidence in his own ability but is also determined to improve and do everything it takes to be a success. A callup tonight would be another small step towards making the breakthrough.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Put him next to Partey if Xhaka is unavailable. We already know what Ceballos and Elneny bring to the table.
Bazinga ??
or what they don’t
Ceballos has hit a wall big time. He looks a shell of himself. Thanks Danny…but this has to be the end of the line for his Arsenal career.
Which is‘absolutely nothing’
Can he play left back ?
Isn’t his contract due to run out this summer?
Thought we were about to lose Balogun + Azeez?
The Azeez thing was more of a myth or a thing of contradicting reports. But Azeez was more sure to stay for me. And now even Folarin stays.
Smooth and calm. Versus Dundalk, during a brief stint replacing Joe Willock– looked like a veteran. If Miguel Azeez continues to progress on the arc he’s on the past two seasons? The club will not need to buy/sign Dani Ceballos this Summer.
I don’t think the club need to buy/sign Dani Ceballos anyway.
You know
A loan I guess is certain to be on the agenda for next season, but maybe in January perhaps as he could still get some 1st team exposure in the League Cup and maybe (hopefully) the early european games?
There is understandably a clamour for new signings this summer but there must still be opportunities left for internal solutions to break in and join Emile and Bayako in the senior squad. Finance might be the ultimate determining factor anyway…
Fingers crossed on the early European games…except you are talking about the pre-season ICC
Won’t happen. Arteta has little or no faith in youth as he has clearly demonstrated over the course of the season. Look mo firther than Balogun, Martnelli and Nelson for evidence. Smith-rowe and Saka were blooded under Emery. If only we were willing to look inwards a big chunk of our squad problems will be solved. Just takes a coach who believes and is willing to invest work in them. I wonder who is more of a problem.. Edu or Arteta?
Azeez has emerged as the crown jewel at the academy. Haven’t seen a lot but he seems confident poised and very smooth on the ball. Hope his development continues toward the first team.
Behind Azeez, there is also hope for Patino, Taylor-Hart, Cirjan, Norton-Cuffy, Joel Lopez, Hutchinson, and Rekik as well.
Azeez, Taylor-Hart, Balogun and Okonkwo all out of contract at the end of the season. Keeping these young men should be the priority!
Nice to see! Really been wanting to see more from him after Dundalk.
And why not?
Relegation avoided (sic) its time to give the kids a go.
All the young man need to improve upon is physical fitness the sky is the limit
I though he is also running out of contact
He looks very composed and kinda like the swag player we could use…
Arteta has been generally against using youth players except for the established ones in Saka & ESR… We should target to bring at least 1 player to the first team roster every year… Nketiah has taken a huge step back too sadly.. so we haven’t had a breakthrough in 2 years
Surely this year was ESR’s break through? We have seen him play before but not to any great extent or with much influence.
Saka broke through last year, ESR this year. Azeez next? Hopefully.
You’ll get playing time soon Miguel once we get out of this fiasco of a year