Mavididi set to leave Arsenal at the right time

Arsenal striker Stephy Mavididi is reportedly set to join Juventus on a permanent basis and, if the deal does go ahead, then it will happen at the right time for the England youth international.

Mavididi is set to link up with Juventus’ B team and will aim to be involved with the senior squad in some capacity as he looks to develop further.

Had he remained at Arsenal the 20-year-old would have found it very difficult to get anywhere near the first-team, especially given the hugely impressive development of Eddie Nketiah, a player who is younger than him.

Mavididi is certainly talented, with his pace, technique and power making him very difficult for defenders to deal with, but he isn’t particularly clinical and often missing inviting chances to find the net.

The prospect was progressing well during a loan spell at Charlton Athletic during the 2016/17 season until a serious hamstring injury stopped him in his tracks and then, after a frustrating stint with Preston North End, he returned to the Addicks last campaign and produced some encouraging displays.

Upon his return to Arsenal, however, Mavididi once again found himself overlooked for the first-team’s pre-season plans and was back in the U23 squad.

It certainly wouldn’t have been to his benefit to remain with the second-string this season and his departure means that some of the club’s younger strikers, such as Tyreece John-Jules and Folarin Balogun, will receive more opportunities to impress for Freddie Ljungberg’s team.

It will be intriguing to see how Mavididi progresses at Juventus and, while his destination may be something of a surprise, the fact that he is leaving Arsenal isn’t exactly a shock given the situation that he finds himself in.

Mavididi was often hugely impressive at youth level and it is shame he is leaving, but this is a timely departure for all concerned.

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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird