Arsenal prospect Miguel Azeez impressed as the midfielder enjoyed a late cameo for loan side Portsmouth on Tuesday night, sparking some Pompey fans to react on social media.
Azeez has struggled to establish himself under Danny Cowley since moving to Fratton Park on a season-long deal in August. The 19-year-old had only featured once before the League One side hosted Cheltenham, with a 59-minute appearance against Cambridge United.
Cowley had opted to leave Azeez on the bench six times over Portsmouth’s eight third-tier fixture in-between appearances. Arsenal are closely monitoring his situation and may recall Azeez in January due to his lack of minutes, football.london report.
Azeez is one of the most highly-rated talents on Arsenal’s books after impressing during his development in Hale End. Gunners chiefs expected the teenager would establish himself at Portsmouth after a bedding-in period to work on his physicality and off-the-ball skills.
Hampshire Live reporter Jonty Colman has also claimed that Cowley has wanted Azeez to improve his off-the-ball work at Pompey. An area in which some Portsmouth fans praised the England Under-20 international’s performance against Cheltenham on Tuesday night.
Portsmouth fans praise Arsenal loanee Azeez performance
That’s because some Portsmouth fans felt Arsenal loanee Azeez was key to Cowley’s side not conceding late on to Cheltenham. The Gunners prospect entered the action as a 74th-minute substitute for Reeco Hackett for his first League One outing since September 18.
Hackett had scored Pompey’s equaliser on 31-minutes after Lewis Freestone broke the deadlock after six-minutes at Fratton Park. Former Arsenal prospect Dan Crowley later came close to scoring a winner for Cheltenham before Azeez’s introduction.
Azeez additionally impressed Portsmouth boss Cowley during the Arsenal loanee’s time on the field against Cheltenham. He refuted claims the Gunners are unhappy with his minutes, telling The News: “I thought Miguel was bright against Cheltenham. He has worked really hard on his game behind the scenes, it’s so different to the football he knows.
“There have been no issues with Arsenal. We speak to them regularly. We have very good dialogue with them and a very good relationship. They know we are working really, really hard with Miguel, and I think they believe this has been a brilliant loan for him to this point.”
So, here are some of the messages Portsmouth shared on Arsenal gem Azeez’s display…
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