Chuba Akpom has his work cut-out if he is to break into the Arsenal first team.
Arsenal’s Chuba Akpom is brought down in the area
Arsenal youngster Chuba Akpom has spoken to the club’s official website, and explained the lengths he would be willing to go to guarantee more minutes with the first-team, reported via the Evening Standard.
Akpom, 20, played 83 minutes for the Gunners in last night’s 4-0 EFL Cup win over Nottingham Forest, and impressed with his high energy levels and sharp movement in forward areas.
He has never really been given the opportunity to shine in the Arsenal first-team, however, and he spoke to arsenal.com about his hopes of receiving more game time, as quoted by the Evening Standard:
Arsenal’s Chuba Akpom in action with Nottingham Forest’s Michael Mancienne
“I think right now I’d play anywhere. I’d play in goal just to get minutes, just to be involved in the team.”
Whilst he was obviously speaking in jest, Akpom has reached the age now where he should be playing regularly, and with the attacking options at Arsene Wenger’s disposal, that could mean another loan spell away from the Emirates.
The England under-21 international has been involved in the Arsenal setup for the past four years, but has only made 10 appearances for the Gunners, with nine of those coming as a substitute.
Arsenal’s Chuba Akpom in action with Nottingham Forest’s Hildeberto Pereira
Akpom finished up by explaining how the EFL Cup is a great opportunity for him and other youngsters at the club to prove to Wenger what they are capable of:
“The EFL Cup is a chance for us players to show the boss what we can do. The boss wants to rest a few players for the cup and it’s just for us to go out there and show everyone what we can do.”
Chuba Akpom scoring for Arsenal during pre-season
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