Can Chuba Akpom make the grade at Arsenal?

Depending on how you choose to look at things, Chuba Akpom has either fallen into first team action at Arsenal, or he’s been thrust into it.

After all, he’s only managed to get close to The Gunners’ starting XI because Lukas Podolski, Joel Campbell and Yaya Sanogo were sent out on loan. If that terrible trio weren’t currently playing for other clubs, Akpom probably wouldn’t have got game-time over the last month or so. It’s also helped that Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck have both been convalescing from injury.

Still, there’s an argument to suggest that Arsene Wenger sent these players out on loan in order to give Chuba Akpom more game-time. The Professor must have realised that the English forward’s contract was set to expire in the summer and that there would be no chance of him agreeing new terms if he wasn’t getting game-time.

As a result, he cleared out part of his squad, gave Akpom a few substitute appearances and convinced him to sign a new deal. This end-game may be down to chance, but I prefer to think of Arsene Wenger as having master-minded the situation.

Either way, it’s given Chuba Akpom a chance to show what he can do. Based on his recent comments, I’d say that he’s enjoyed the situation: “It’s amazing. It’s a striker’s dream to play with Santi Cazorla, Tomas Rosicky and those world-class players in the squad. They care about you on the pitch – they want you to get goals, they’re looking for you.

“They’re not selfish players. They’re good lads as well, genuinely nice people and you can only improve training and playing with those types of players. They were [trying to set me up against Aston Villa]. I appreciate that and I’ve just got to make the right forward runs to score and create opportunities for the team.” (Source: The Express)

With Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez back in action, Akpom may well find it difficult to earn first team football over the coming months. Still, there’s no denying the young lad’s abilities. He’s nippy, he’s not afraid to take people on and his goal-scoring record at youth level is impressive.

This season may be too soon for him to make his breakthrough, but I wouldn’t be surprise to see him start fulfilling his potential over the next couple of years.

What’s your take? Is Chuba Akpom good enough for The Gunners?

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