Arsenal have seen Bukayo Saka becomes a first-team star after rising through the academy but not everybody can follow that same path.
The Gunners academy has produced one of the top English players around right now.
Bukayo Saka really hammered home his ability on Saturday evening, dragging England level against Switzerland before then scoring in the shootout to send the Three Lions into the Euro 2024 final.
Saka is a shining example for the Arsenal academy but others haven’t been able to follow the same path.
Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe have stalled a little despite early hype around them whilst Folarin Balogun was sold last summer.
Mikel Arteta’s Premier League title hopes mean it is now difficult for young players to break in – and another talent has now moved on.
Brighton and Hove Albion sign Amario Cozier-Duberry
Arsenal published a retained list in early June, confirming the exits of players such as Cedric Soares and Mohamed Elneny.
That announcement noted that three players were still in talks over potentially signing new contracts to stay at the club.
Goalkeeper Karl Hein did indeed end up signing on, but Reuell Walters and Amario Cozier-Duberry decided to leave.
Both were highly-regarded talents at Arsenal and had been around the first-team scene in training and matchday squads.
Walters is yet to find a new club but Cozier-Duberry has now finalised is next move.
The winger has decided to join Premier League rivals Brighton and Hove Albion, penning a four-year deal on the South Coast.
Brighton have quite the record in terms of developing players and Cozier-Duberry will now try his luck at the Amex Stadium.
Seeing Cozier-Duberry become a star for Brighton would sting inside Arsenal and Seagulls chief David Weir has celebrated the deal.
Weir has told the club’s official website that he is ‘really pleased’ to sign Cozier-Duberry, believing that he can ‘flourish’ in the future.
“We’re really pleased to be able to bring Amario to the club. He’s got attributes we like and we believe he is a player who can flourish in our environment,” said Weir. “We’re looking forward to working with him and helping his career to progress,” he added.
The 19-year-old wide man racked up nine goals and five assists in 17 Premier League 2 outings last season, continuing to show real potential in the Arsenal ranks.
Brighton have now pounced though and Arsenal fans will be keeping close tabs on his progress in the coming years as Cozier-Duberry leaves the nest in North London.
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