Former Arsenal teenage sensation Femi Fapetu has signed for Premier League rivals Manchester City his father has confirmed, talking to All Nigeria Soccer.
Where would Mikel Arteta be without Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe? Would he still have a job in north London?
While such a question may feel reactionary, a hair-trigger response to Friday’s horrific opening day defeat at Brentford, it’s worth remembering Arsenal were glancing over their shoulders at the relegation zone before Arteta finally bowed to pressure and gave Smith Rowe and Saka a run of games late last year.
If it wasn’t for those fearless, fleet-footed youngsters, the Arteta experiment might have blown up in Arsenal’s face long ago.
But while the emergence of Smith Rowe should act as an inspiration to every youngster looking to make their name at the Emirates – the England U21 international turned down Barcelona before making his first-team debut in red and white – the talented Fapetu is embarking on a different path.
Will Arsenal regret losing Fapetu to Manchester City?
In June, All Nigeria Soccer reported the 14-year-old attacker had walked away from the London giants.
Fapetu was training with Liverpool at the time and had also been invited to show off his talents in Manchester United’s famous academy.
- ‘I’D LIKE TO’: Reported Arsenal target wants Premier League move after Tottenham’s £17m bid
As it turns out, Fapetu is heading to the north west – but not to Liverpool or United.
“Femi signed for Manchester City today,” his father confirmed after pictures emerged showing Fapetu posing for photographs at City’s space-age Etihad Campus.
Fapetu’s older brother, Bayo, joined Derby County earlier in the summer too.
Given the lack of first-team players available to Wayne Rooney at present, don’t be too surprised to see Bayo make his senior debut for the troubled Championship giants before long.
A handful of teenagers have already appeared for Derby this season.
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