‘It’s definitely going to happen’: Manager predicts 18-year-old will be starting for Arsenal

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Arsenal may be eyeing up a new right back signing but youngster Brooke Norton-Cuffy is being tipped for stardom at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners secured a star at right in Takehiro Tomiyasu back in August, and he looks to be Arsenal’s starter in that role for a long time yet.

Cedric Soares has fared well in Tomiyasu’s absence of late, but Arsenal continue to be linked with the likes of Djed Spence.

It may well be that Arsenal think Mikel Arteta needs a more expansive, attack-minded right back to compete with Tomiyasu.

Spence would certainly fit that bill, but what if Arsenal already had a promising young right back?

Norton-Cuffy, 18, has been coming up through the Arsenal ranks in recent times.

After playing in Premier League 2 for the first half of the season, Norton-Cuffy was farmed out on loan in January.

Arsenal wanted Norton-Cuffy to gain first-team experience in League One, joining up with Lincoln City for the rest of the season.

Norton-Cuffy has quickly become a fan favourite at Lincoln, especially after scoring a superb goal against Sheffield Wednesday earlier this month.

Norton-Cuffy looks strong and able to get up and down the right flank at will, showing the raw materials to become a star.

Lincoln boss Michael Appleton is a huge fan of Norton-Cuffy and is making huge predictions about the Arsenal teenager.

Speaking to Lincolnshire Live, Appleton has admitted that he thinks Norton-Cuffy is ‘definitely’ going to be starting for Arsenal regularly one day.

Appleton hopes Arsenal don’t get annoyed with his huge claims, but thinks so highly of Norton-Cuffy – and is backing him for Arsenal stardom.

“I don’t want Arsenal ringing me up saying ‘what have you said that for?’, said Appleton. “But I’ve been saying it behind the scenes, I think he will play for Arsenal’s first team on a regular basis.”

“It might not be for a couple of years but it’s definitely going to happen. He’ll hopefully continue his progression over the next few games. There’s one or two things that I think I can help him with, but by the time he goes back to Arsenal, he’ll be much better,” he added.