News coming from Arsenal now makes Fulham look very silly – Our View

Follow us on Google Discover

Back in April, Arsenal decided to bring Maldini Kacurri to Hale End after the 16-year-old was released by Fulham.

Per Mertesacker – who oversees the Arsenal Academy as Manager – saw plenty of promise in the Albanian, despite the fact he had failed to win over the Cottagers, who spent last season playing in the Championship.

It is unusual for a teenager released by a Championship side to be snapped up by a club as big as Arsenal.

However, Mertesacker clearly has a good eye for a defender if recent news is anything to go by.

What’s the story?

Well, Fulham now look a little bit foolish after deciding to release Kacurri.

The Albania Under-17 international has now been promoted to the Arsenal Under-21 squad, as a result of his blistering start to life in north London.

Kacurri was already being tested above his age group, making four appearances for the Arsenal Under-18 side so far this season, and he has coped with the challenge admirably.

Arsenal have handed the No.82 shirt to the precocious centre-back.

If Kacurri continues his fine progress in the Under-21, then we see no reason why he cannot follow in the footsteps of Ethan Nwaneri.

The 15-year-old only recently made his debut for the Under-21 side at Arsenal, but after doing well, Mikel Arteta amazingly decided to hand him his Premier League debut.

At the age of 15 years and 181 days, Nwaneri is now the youngest Premier League player of all time.

Arsenal continue to raid Fulham

Kacurri isn’t the only prospect Arsenal have taken from Fulham in recent times.

In 2021, the Gunners moved to poach Mika Biereth after the striker scored 21 goals in 21 games to fire the Cottagers to the Under-18 Premier League South title.

The Dane is now on loan at RKC Waalwijk over in the Netherlands, and Arsenal have high hopes for him.

After also losing Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho to Fulham, we feel the Cottagers need to change something at Academy level, or else they risk losing more gems to their Premier League rivals.