Arsenal have high hopes for a number of young players and it looks like Brooke Norton-Cuffy has a huge future ahead of him after impressing at Lincoln City.
The Gunners have seen Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe emerge through their youth setup in recent times, becoming first-team stars.
There are now hopes that other youngsters can follow in their footsteps and shine under Mikel Arteta in the coming years.
A key in Smith Rowe’s development was going out on loan, spending time at RB Leipzig and Huddersfield Town.
In January, Arsenal sent right back Brooke Norton-Cuffy out on loan to Lincoln City in order to gain first-team experience.
The 18-year-old had been a regular in Premier League 2 outside of having a knee injury, but needed senior action to aid his development.
Lincoln were more than happy to take Norton-Cuffy having also signed Arsenal youngster Tyreece John-Jules back in January 2020.
Norton-Cuffy has been a regular for the Imps ever since signing and is now earning huge praise from Lincoln boss Michael Appleton.
Appleton has told Lincoln Vital Football that he would be ‘amazed’ if Norton-Cuffy doesn’t end up playing in the Premier League, whether that’s for Arsenal or somebody else.
Appleton even predicted more interest in Norton-Cuffy ahead of the summer window, believing a number of clubs will want to sign him.
“We’ve got a right back that we’ve brought in from Arsenal who’s not bad also,” said Appleton. “I think there’s going to be a lot of people who are going to be interested in Brooke between now and the end of the season. He’s a player that personally – and I don’t like singling out too many people, but I’ll be amazed if he doesn’t play in the Premier League,” he added.
Norton-Cuffy is only 18, so it’s important to take his development gradually, but this is huge praise for the teenager.
Arsenal have been linked with a young right back in Djed Spence, seeking a more attacking option to compete with Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Norton-Cuffy will now be hoping to prove that he can be that player, saving Arsenal millions in the process.
Having impressed at Lincoln, it looks like he’s making a great start to that journey.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
