Akpom can make it at Arsenal but needs loan experience

Chuba Akpom is the latest Arsenal prodigy on the block and has been impressing fans of not just Arsenal but football across England with his talent. The 17-year-old striker caught the eye of many with a couple of fantastic performances in the club’s pre-season tour of Asia, scoring four times in four appearances.

A goal a game is no mean feat and despite the level of opposition, Akpom should be ecstatic with what he achieved. To me, he has proved he can certainly make it at the top level and I’m sure everyone would be excited to see him play again for Arsenal. However this probably won’t be the case for now. Although I wouldn’t be totally surprised for Wenger to announce that Akpom was being promoted to the first team and therefore using it as an excuse in the transfer market, I think the likelihood is that the young English international will go out on loan.

Akpom also spoke of his desire to continue playing regularly: “Last year I did well – I played for the reserves and scored 21 goals in all. That was my first year in full-time professional football so it was a good year for me. I think it’s important to keep progressing and to do better than last season. Now I’ve toured with the first team hopefully I can play a few games, or be in and around the first team this coming season.”

21 goals for Arsenal reserves when you’re just 16, just goes to show what a fantastic player he is developing into. I certainly agree with him in saying that it’s important he continues to progress because if he doesn’t get regular game time then like so many before him he will slip off the rails. The same happened to Benik Afobe in recent years, who was at one point Arsenal’s upcoming striker, yet now we don’t hear a word of him. It was be terrible for such a talent as Akpom to go the same way.

Because of that although he seems to want to stay at Arsenal for the upcoming season, I feel a loan move to a Championship team may be the best option for him. Do you agree?