Having trained and played with the first team in the early weeks of pre-season, a few people have questioned why Miguel Azeez is now back with the club’s under-23s.
Could the fact he’s being linked with a loan move have something to do with it? It’s possible.
According to Football League World, a host of clubs, including Portsmouth are keen to take the 18-year-old midfielder for the upcoming campaign.
Azeez only has one first team appearance to his name so far – a cameo off the bench against Dundalk last season – and with European football not on the agenda, it’s going to be a struggle getting more minutes this time around.
Portsmouth are managed by Danny Cowley, who did a very decent job nurturing Emile Smith Rowe’s talent at Huddersfield, so that could work in their favour when it comes to negotiations.
There’s nothing concrete at the moment but this could be one to watch in the coming week or so.
sounds good to me
Yup. I’d be really tempted to move Balogun out too if Laca and Auba both stay. He may even demand a small loan fee, given his reputation. But I think Arteta will keep him regardless.
It’s probably worth remembering that Arteta played a part in Foden’s development and the lad never had one single loan. It’s not a must in order for players to blossom.
But I’ll be very excited to see Azeez playing regular football. I shall be very much supporting Pompey if this one goes through.
Yeah, Balogun should go to Germany for a season…and now Chelsea have signed Lukaku we might have Abraham by the weekend
Abraham? we don’t need him. Laca is way better!! We need to get rid of Arteta first and replace him with Bielsa from Leeds. It will happen sooner or later. The sooner the better.
BTW Bielsa to Arsenal in December!! <<<< You heard it here first. 😉
Bielsa? Are you mad? These are his last three managerial positions.
Lille – suspended and subsequently fired after 13 games in charge.
Lazio – Quit after two games and was sued by the club.
Marseilles – Lasted one season.
Leeds are welcome to him. He’ll blow hot and cold for a few more seasons and then do something reckless and irresponsible.
Tammy Abraham? Isn’t he off to Roma?
Hopefully.
They want him, he may go, but I just get the feeling he wants to stay in the Prem and he’s an Arsenal fan, so…..
I’d rather have Martinez or Vlahovic, but Abraham is cheaper and possibly available one loan with an obligation to buy. It’s his choice apparently.
Lacca has one year left and is on big wages so we are trying to move him on now.
Loans sometimes can be bad for very talented kids. Keep him at the Emirates and integrate him gradually into the first team
Loans can also be fantastic for kids, like Smith-Rowe (as Blogs mentioned)
He needs to play, sounds good to me
I honestly cannot remember when a load ruined or even hindered a ‘very talented kid’ in our setup. The very best that have come through our academy have a very successful loan in the build up. I even remember how excited I was after Wilshere’s season at Bolton.
yikes on that slip – ‘LOAN’ not load…. that would certainly hinder a kids development, my apologies
Only one I can think of was sending Gnabry to West Brom, managed by Tony fucking Pulis.
That was our mistake imo. But an exception to the general rule
I don’t think it’s the reason Gnabry left. He’s German, he wanted to play in Germany, and, backing himself, he knew that his real choices, after a year or two, would be Arsenal or Bayern.
But playing for Pulis couldn’t have helped.
Good call on Gnabry – more than anything it hurt our chances of keeping him, clearly didn’t hinder his development though; despite Pulis’ best efforts. That one made no sense from the off.
Nketiah at Leeds was underwhelming. He barely played. And mostly as a sub.
Very much a case of ‘Pearls before swine’
Saka never went on loan
Didn’t imply it was necessary – just that it hasn’t hurt any youngster
Gnabry
There seem to have been more relatively successful loans than unsuccessful ones.
Some players who I think, didn’t make much progress on loan were:
I can’t think of any others who had useless loans.
JET, Frimping, Zelelem—-ahhh dreams deferred…
Giving Azeez chances means less appearances for gonna be Balon d’Or winner William, so a definite NO.
Who is William?
Heh.
Watch tomorrow night.
An enormous bloke who regularly gets off the bench – and when he does, the rest of the subs fall off the other end.
AZ-EEZy as that I guess…
Would love to see him getting Elneny’s minutes. Since that won’t happen , cause Elneny isn’t going anywhere, it seems the best for both parties so hope it works out for him
Seems like a sensible move. He’s behind Partey, Xhaka, Lokonga, Elneny and Maitland-Niles, so even in the League Cup it’s hard to see where he would get first team minutes.
Imagine how demoralising it would be to be told you’re behind Elneny
Elneny is a great squad player and should not be considered more or less – personally I like him and rather he stay than, say, will-i-ain’t up to much (unless eating the entire burgerking menu is considered an achievement)
Exactly my thoughts. We would get more out of Azeez than we would from El Neny. He couldn’t do any worse. Send El Neny on loan, maybe he’ll look like a star in the lower leagues and someone would want to buy him.
An loyal international level player who has stepped in when needed and had some good games (and great goals) along the way?
Doesn’t sound too demoralizing to me.
There are times when Arsenal fans are truly disgusting – most of them are about the time when they snipe on our own players
I think Miguel is good enough to be playing in the Championship.
That is my only misgiving. Beside that, I am all for a season away from the Emirates and U23 football for Azeez.
I think so too but a bit of time in the less glamourous divisions can have a powerful impact on a young footballer.
If they find the environment too gritty, then it can be extra motivation to succeed at the highest level.
If they do loan Azeez, it might be wise to limit the loan to the first half of the season. Assuming Torreira and AMN are sold and Arsenal don’t sign another CM, in January when Partey and Elneny leave for AFCON, Arsenal will only have Xhaka and Lokonga available.
Working with Cowley sounds like a good setup. Give him minutes in a real league.
Seems like a solid idea, though Portsmouth are only in League One and I feel like Azeez would be good enough for the Championship at this point.
That sounds a really smart move, the Cowley brothers also had John Jules at Lincoln City and did a good job, he progressed really well until last season and a raft of injuries at Doncaster.
No Poos!
A loan is ok.
But if Portsmouth start sniffing after a permanent deal, they can fuck right off. Just saying. 🙂
I thought part of the reason we moved on Willock to make way for Azeez.
Hey what do I know.
Maybe we are signing 4 midfielders next week.