Kevin Campbell has said on the Highbury Squad YouTube channel that Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal did right to send Miguel Azeez out on loan to Portsmouth.
Azeez joined League One club Portsmouth from Premier League side Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
The 18-year-old midfielder has moved to Pompey on loan for this season.
Former Arsenal striker Campbell believes that the Gunners were right to send Azeez out on loan for this season.
Campbell said about Azeez on the Highbury Squad YouTube channel: “He has not played a Premiership game.
“That’s why I rate the club for doing what they have done with Azeez. Get him out on loan, get him playing football, really important, he has got big talent, he has huge talent, but what we have got to do is get him up to speed.”
Sensible decision
Azeez has been playing for the Arsenal youth team and has done well whenever he has been in action for the Under-23 side.
However, playing competitive football, even in League One, is much better than turning out against players of your own age.
Okay, Azeez may not play week in and week out for Portsmouth, but he will be in a competitive environment.
That will teach the 18-year-old midfielder a lot about life in football and what to expect if he is to have a long-term career at Arsenal.
What the teenager needs to do during his loan spell at Portsmouth is work hard and train well.
Meanwhile, Campbell has said that Ainsley Maitland-Niles is not experienced enough to replace Granit Xhaka in the starting lineup at Arsenal.
The 24-year-old England international can operate as a central midfielder or as a full-back.
Maitland-Niles said on the Highbury Squad YouTube channel: “Maitland-Niles is a good player, but he has never proven in the Premier League.
“Let’s be honest. He has never proven in the Premier League. Maitland-Niles has not played four games as a central midfielder for Arsenal back-to-back.”
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