Arsenal have Tomiyasu’s deputy lined up by Yash
According to Football.London, Arsenal have been hugely impressed with the performances of Brooke Norton-Cuffy.
The right back was sent out on loan to League One side Lincoln City for the second half of the campaign to aid his development.
Since making the move last month, the youngster has made six appearances for The Imps. He has gradually started to establish himself as a starter and that has naturally drawn serious attention from the staff at London Colney.
Many people know how long I’ve been pining for Brooke Norton Cuffy but his development has been immense.
His decision making in buildup has improved massively & his versatility in/out make him a dangerous outlet with transition control- a technical Kyle Walker not said lightly. https://t.co/AE257NV69u
— George (@GeorgeV_AFC) February 16, 2022
The report further suggested that first-team manager Mikel Arteta and his academy compatriot Per Mertesacker have been impressed with the way he has eased into Lincoln’s starting eleven.
The 18-year-old initially made four substitute appearances before getting his name registered from the start, in the next two games.
His current manager Michael Appleton only had words of praise for the England U18 international.
Arsenal youngster Brooke Norton-Cuffy’s message on Instagram after signing his first professional contract at Arsenal today.
“Today my dream of being a footballer has come true, but this is just the beginning. The hard work starts now 🙏🏾” [IG: nortoncuffy]
❤️ @brookenc2 pic.twitter.com/FkeVeb7r9Y
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) January 21, 2021
“I think there’s going to be a lot of people who are going to be interested in Brooke between now and the end of the season.
“He’s a player that personally – and I don’t like singling out too many people, but I’ll be amazed if he doesn’t play in the Premier League.”
Writer’s View: This is certainly good news for Arsenal. The Gunners only have two right backs registered in Takehiro Tomiyasu and Cedric Soares.
Gotta keep fighting! pic.twitter.com/eQ8verfmOd
— Brooke Norton-Cuffy (@brookenc2) February 16, 2022
With the Portuguese’s long-term future at the Emirates Stadium in limbo, Arsenal would have and will be still looking at potential players on that side of the pitch.
Nottingham Forest’s Djed Spence is a name that has become familiar to the Arsenal faithful in the past month or so.
But if North-Cuffy continues his upward trajectory in League One, he can seriously be considered a deputy to Tomiyasu himself.
I am looking forward to how he continues his development at the East Midlands.
Aren’t we all?
I think Soares has been playing well lately. I believe it would be smart to keep him for another year as Tommy’s back-up.
This young lad will then have a chance to develop more.
Save the (right back) Transfer money for a top quality goal scorer and DM.
Soares ain’t in to the pace of Premier league football and qualifying for European football within our reach, we better invest in djed spence who will be able to withstand the pressure for now and take brooke to a championship club this time round and see if he develops more and more.
Brooke will have to go try Championship next season, he seems talented already.
Soares will do well as long as Arsenal is in possession. He is end-product is very good but in defence he is not.
His* end-product…
When a defender is needed and Tomy is not available, that is when I will play White at the right and Holding in center.
Cedric is one of a very small number of experienced players in our squad however he has been average overall, imo we should look to sell him for a small amount in the summer and bring in Djed Spence who has been impressive every time I have seen him play and will provide different qualities to Tomiyasu.
OT Renato impressed against Chelsea last night by all accounts. Unfortunately I don’t think he is on Edu and Arteta’s radar as he was available in January with reports he wanted a transfer and he had an agreement with Lille allowing him to leave if a club came in for him but it appears we were not interested.
More loans will help him improve more but we need a right back for the mean time,spence to be precise.
I also agree about Spence being the best bet right now, good in both offence and defence, strong and quick. Brooke Norton can develop over another year and can come to Arsenal. That said, Cedric isnt playing badly, but would be ideal if we replace him with Spence.
Arsenal need to continue trusting their youngsters, as there are currently three players Jodi Osei-Tutu, Ryan Alebiosu and now Brooke Norton- Cuffy who all play right back, so there’s no need to invest in a backup for Tomiyasu. They are relatively good and will develop further with more playing experience, just like Djed Spence. Arsenal should not buy a backup right back,(as one the youngsters can be used) nor a left sided center back too ,as Mazeed Ogungbo can fill that position. In the summer transfer window, Arsenal should definitely sell Cedric Soares and use the cash to help fund the acquisition of a defensive midfielder instead.
Good to hear that another of our young loanees is doing well and developing elsewhere
Meanwhile I agree with JW’s post last night, Cedric has played well in the last two games and deserves to keep his place against Wolves in my opinion