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Miguel Azeez admits he once picked Arsenal over West Ham United

Guillem Balague presents pitch side before the UEFA Champions League group H match between Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid at Wembley Stadium on ...
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Arsenal talent Miguel Azeez has told Guillem Balague that he had the option of joining West Ham United before picking the Gunners.

It’s a great time to be in the Arsenal academy. Mikel Arteta is giving chances to young players, and some have made a big impact this season.

Bukayo Saka has become a star, whilst Joe Willock, Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah have also performed well under Arteta.

We could see Emile Smith Rowe, Zech Medley, Ben Cottrell and Harry Clarke emerge next season, whilst Miguel Azeez is another promising player.

The 17-year-old has been developing his game as a deeper-lying midfielder having previously been a box-to-box player, and he is earning rave reviews.

Azeez is able to play for England, Nigeria and Spain, so he has a big decision to make in the future, but seems to be edging toward the Three Lions after 22 England youth caps.

Miguel Azeez of Arsenal u23 and Adrian Bernabe of Manchester City u23 battling for possession    during the Premier League 2 match between Arsenal Under 23 and Manchester City Under 23  at the Emirates Stadium, London on Saturday 29th February 2020. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/MINews/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Photo by Jacques Feeney/MINews/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Now, Azeez has admitted that West Ham and even Chelsea wanted him when he was just five years old, but he picked Arsenal because he loves and supports the Gunners – and he will hope to play senior football for the Gunners having spent so long with his boyhood club.

“I’ve been at Arsenal since the age of five, a long time,” said Azeez. “I’ve been at Arsenal ever since, I love the club so I just carry on working hard, each year keep improving and listening to feedback from coaches.”

“When I was around five years old, you trial at a lot of clubs when you’re young. There was Chelsea, West Ham, other clubs as well, but I’ve always loved Arsenal. Arsenal is the club that I support, it’s the club that I love, so it was a no-brainer, it was an easy decision for me when they wanted me to join them,” he added.

BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - MARCH 03: Kevin Appin of AS Monaco FC is challenged by Miguel Azeez of Arsenal FC during the Premier League International Cup match between Arsenal FC and AS Monaco FC at Meadow Park on March 03, 2020 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)
Photo by James Chance/Getty Images