Ryan Alebiosu is one of a host of youngsters that Arsenal will look to send out on loan this summer, with the club eager for the right-back to gain experience of senior football.
The 19-year-old has only had one full season at U23 level, during which he started off well before fading somewhat towards the end of the campaign.
Arsenal still have faith in Alebiosu, however, and will be keeping a close eye on how the youngster develops on loan if a suitable offer is made for him, with League Two perhaps his most likely destination.
Alebiosu, who previously mainly played as a winger, is now usually deployed at right-back and has improved significantly in recent years but is still somewhat raw and needs to become rather less error prone.
If Alebiosu does go out on loan then Arsenal already have a ready-made replacement for him at U23 level, with Brooke Norton-Cuffy ready to step up.
Norton-Cuffy already possesses experience of U23 football having first featured at that level early last season when he was just 16 years old.
Already tied to a professional contract, Arsenal have high hopes for the England youth international, who will be looking to establish himself as the club’s first-choice right-back for the U23s.
Daniel Oyegoke is another option to consider, but he has been used more often as a centre-back of late.
With Zak Swanson, another right-back, also set to go on loan, Norton-Cuffy could well receive the opportunity he deserves to make a major impact at U23 level.
Norton-Cuffy is impressive technically and relishes pushing forward. Although his positioning requires improvement, he has done much good work defensively and is certainly a prospect who has a chance of succeeding at Arsenal.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Another excellent young player coming through, all the best to him and hope he does well next season, it’s a good progression for him.
I mean the amount of CBs at the club is going to be infinite. I hope that this does not mean, that no one of them becomes a quality player in the end. I think Brook showed what qualities he can bring to the table. And if he would be out, Daniel can step in at RB. I think there we will be space for a RB coming through the next 4-5 year, so I hope they can further develop their play. Up The Arsenal!
Hopefully Norton-Cuffy will step up his game again this season it would be great if we didn’t have to buy anyone for a bellerin replacement.
Zak Swanson is the only one of these guys I’d heard of. Great to hear there are more promising youngsters in the ranks. Good luck to them all.
Thanks Jeorge. Always nice to read about the young guys coming through. Hope it will happen for all of them!
Norton-Cuffy is a very good prospect. Hope he emerges as the first choice I-23 right back next season.