It is amazing that Arsenal have let such a promising (and prolific) young striker as Benik Afobe be sold this season, and could be construed as very strange behaviour from Arsene Wenger, considering that the Frenchman sets high store on bringing hot young English players through the youth system.
Afobe has always been a high-profile goalscorer from an early age. He actually joined Arsenal at six years of age and his records began when he was just 15 when he scored 40 goals for the U-16s in 2007–08. He went on to score 11 goals in 13 appearances in 2008–09, and 21 goals in 24 appearances for Arsenal U-18 in 2009–10, when he was signed up on a professional contract. That was five years ago and surprisingly he has never appeared for the Gunners senior side, not even in the League Cup.
Instead he was sent out on a never-ending series of loan moves to gain experience but when he finally starting scoring again (at MK Dons this season), he was immediately sold to Wolverhampton Wanderers. This season has seen him hit the heights yet again, with 19 goals for the Dons, and now another 11 in the Championship with Wolves, making him the first striker in the country to reach 30 goals this season. At only 22 years of age now, he has the capability of improving for more years to come, but Arsenal sold him for a mere £2 Million, according to the BBC.
He has recently asked if he thought there was a chance he could move back to Arsenal one day. He admitted that he had some regrets that he hadn’t actually spent more time actually with the Gunners! “Maybe I shouldn’t have gone on some of the loans,” Afobe told FourFourTwo. “Not because I wasn’t good enough, but more for the fact that they’re about getting you ready and improving your game.
“When I was injured I went straight back out on loan right after, when I probably should have stayed and played reserve football. The loan has to suit a player and it has to come at the right time in their career, but I do believe they help a lot of young English players.”
He was then asked outright if he could ever seeing himself returning to Arsenal at some point in the future, and he replied: “You never know,”
“I’ve seen interviews of players saying they would never go back to this team or that team, but I don’t like to wish anything on my future.
“I believe what happens in my life happens for a reason. I honestly couldn’t tell you what I’d do – I take it one season at a time.”
Well this season has been a real breakthrough for him, and with Wolves still in with hopes of making the play-offs, we could maybe even see him bck at the Emirates next year with Wolves. Who would bet against him scoring against us?