As per Japanese sports news aggregator, イギリス ブックメーカー, the 19-year old striker Chuba Akpom made his fourth appearance of the season as a sub for the Arsenal first team yesterday. And although the young Gunner is still waiting for his first senior goal, he did show us enough promise to suggest that we could have a future star on the books.
With his pace and footwork, Akpom won the penalty for Cazorla to score and with a bit of refinement he will be a big asset. But is he really going to get much playing time with Arsenal this season? A report in The Mirror today claims that the Championship club Wigan are very keen on taking him on loan for the rest of the season and I think it would be a good idea.
Arsene Wenger may be reluctant after allowing three forwards to leave the club already during this transfer window, but even without Podolski, Sanogo and Campbell to compete with, Akpom will not get much of a look-in against Alexis, Walcott, Giroud, Welbeck, Chamberlain and Ozil.
He needs to be playing and as long as he wants to go and is willing to sign a new contract, I think it would be best if we let him. If he stays and does not play, we could lose the talented young striker for nothing in the summer. Wigan are desperate for goals and would play him all the time. They also have Malky Mackay as their new boss and apart from the recent `textgate` controversy, the Scot has proven himself a very good manager.
If Wenger is concerned about needing Akpom if we hit another injury crisis, surely he can do the same sort of deal that he did with Coquelin and be able to recall his player. Just look how well that worked out for us. So do you agree that the Gunners should let Akpom go on loan?