Brooke Norton-Cuffy has impressed Mikel Arteta and Per Mertesacker with his early efforts for Lincoln City since leaving Arsenal on loan during January, according to football.london.
The Gunners allowed the 18-year-old to join the Imps for the rest of the season for his first taste of first-team football. He joined the north Londoners’ Hale End academy from Chelsea in 2016 and begun to cement his place in their Under-23 side under Steve Bould last term.
Arteta is yet to include the right-back in any of his Arsenal sides, but is monitoring Norton-Cuffy’s Lincoln loan transfer. The England U18 international has made six appearances for the League One side so far, including starting their last two games and playing the full 90.
Norton-Cuffy is yet to provide an assist, score a goal or help the Imps to keep a clean sheet. So, will seek at least a breakthrough when Michael Appleton’s side visit Bolton on Tuesday.
Arsenal teen Norton-Cuffy blowing Arteta away during Lincoln loan
Despite only averaging 39-minutes per Lincoln appearance so far, Norton-Cuffy is blowing Arsenal boss Arteta away during his loan adventure. Gunners staff are keeping close tabs on his performances and admire how easily he has adapted to first-team football to date.
Arteta and academy chief Mertesacker are two Arsenal figures taking an interest in how Norton-Cuffy performs away from north London. He could also earn a senior role at the Emirates Stadium next season as Takehiro Tomiyasu’s deputy, replacing Cedric Soares.
Arsenal will likely want to see a bit more from Norton-Cuffy before Arteta sanctions any changes to his squad. But the London-born gem has already impressed for the Imps and drew praise from Lincoln boss Appleton after almost creating a goal during his first start.
“Norton-Cuffy was outstanding [against Wycombe],” Appleton said, via Lincolnshire Live. “His attacking play is a big part of his game. He was a little bit nervous initially, but it was his first league start. He came through that and got stronger and stronger.”
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