When Brooke Norton-Cuffy joined Lincoln City on loan in January there was an element of surprise given that the defender had only recently turned 18.
However, Norton-Cuffy has adapted seamlessly to senior football, with the right-back having produced some excellent performances in League One.
Yesterday the youngster scored his first senior goal as Lincoln beat Sheffield Wednesday and his quick progress is excellent news for Arsenal.
The right-back relishes pushing forward and is a fine crosser of the ball having previously been a winger.
Norton-Cuffy is also a diligent defender and reads the game well, while he is strong physically but there are some occasions when he squanders possession needlessly.
Overall, though, he is developing very well and is actually perhaps ahead of schedule.
Norton-Cuffy will hope for a strong finish to the season, with Lincoln attempting to avoid relegation to League Two.
It will be intriguing to see what will happen with Norton-Cuffy thereafter. The likelihood is that the England youth international will be assessed by Arsenal in the summer and could feature in pre-season friendlies.
Another loan spell, perhaps to a Championship club, could follow, but if he impresses sufficiently then there is a chance that Norton-Cuffy may remain with Arsenal next season and be on the fringes of the first-team.
Norton-Cuffy is also capable of playing as a centre-back in a three-man defence, but it is at right-back where he is most effective and he will be looking to continue his impressive progress.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Interesting to see what happens to him next summer, considering we will need a back-up RB… It might be a bit early for him and another loan could be needed, but he might push Mikel and Edu into finding a temporary solution – Cedric for one more year, or someone on loan – rather than a permanent one.
He played wing back yesterday for the Imps,but spent most of the match in midfield and was a real live wire. He really has got it,. Just needs to pick when to pass, but really strong and very determined to win the ball.(8.5/10)
He has certainly made an impression with Imps fans, and to all at Arsenal it’s worth watching his superb goal yesterday on UTube.
His best asset is his reading of the game. So many interceptions, pressing and seeing the pass before. He does sometimes though get beat because of taking the chance to intercept. He got beaten for one of the goals but overall good prospect.
Great to hear we’ve produced another young talent. I hadn’t realised he was quite as developed as your summary suggests. Excited to follow his progress.
Bakari Sagna
Bacary Sagna was a good defender and a good crosser of the ball, but I don’t think he had anything else to offer. To be honest, I rate Eboue much higher because he could actually dribble the ball and be a threat on his own. My two cents
Very good in the air. And his consistency was impressive. Sagna for me. Loved Eboue still.
Link to BNC highlights and post match interview – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfeKNbeVbuM
Yeah he’s been looking really good in the short instances I’ve seen him. I can’t wait to see him in pre-season.
Great news. He’s another youngster with a bright future. Our academy is the best in English football.
Yeah maybe, but we are nowhere near industrial production levels of Chelsea or Man City 😉
Sagna was good, but he was not a good crosser of the ball. I think he consistently hit the first defender during his time at Arsenal. Great RB in many aspects of the game.