If you Arsenal fans out there want to get another look at the young Gunners striker Chuba Akpom in action then you will have the chance tomorrow, as Hull City kick off their second league game of the season at noon and it is being shown on telly.
Akpom has already settled into life at his new club, with an excellent goal in each of his two games so far. If he plays well and/or scores tomorrow and Arsenal struggle again, then some will inevitably turn on Arsene Wenger and question the manager’s wisdom in letting such a prospect go out on loan when we could have done with him ourselves.
But I for one think it was a good move and agree with the prof’s words on the reasons for it, as reported by the Arsenal website this week. The whole idea is to allow Akpom to develop and Wenger has the big picture in mind rather than what Akpom may or may not have offered us this season.
He said, “I told him many times that I believe he has the quality to play for Arsenal Football Club.
“He’s not completely ready to play [here] yet but the quality is there and the experience can strengthen your belief.
“The experience in the Championship will teach him how to fight, how not to give up, and it’s an important step between youth-team football and the Premier League.”
With Yaya Sanogo struggling to live up to his early promise and with Joel Campbell seemingly on his way out of the club, Akpom is the best forward prospect we have and Wenger is right to try to do whatever it takes to make the most of that. Look what regular football did for Benik Afobe and Akpom’s two goals have already started to prove the boss right. Perhaps some fans will worry that Akpom will follow Afobe out the door but, as reported by Sky Sports, he does not sound that way inclined.
Akpom said, ““The boss (Arsene Wenger) said I’d be in his plans for the season but he wants me to play as many games as possible. I’m 19 going on 20 and I need to play games. He’s told me to be confident and show what I can do and he’s really encouraged me.”
So is the fact that Akpom is happy to have gone to Hull City and is desperate to prove himself ready for Arsenal the final proof that Wenger got this one right?