Arsene Wenger had an interesting January. For once, he didn’t leave his major signing until it was too late to wrap up a deal. Former Villarreal star Gabriel Paulista was an Arsenal player was before deadline day swung around. Having also signed Krystian Bielik, The Professor was able to spend the remaining hours of the transfer window relaxing (relative to other managers at least, I’m sure he’s spent plenty of time planning for next weekend’s encounter with rivals Tottenham Hotspur).
His out-going activity was also interesting. After all, he chose to send three well-regarded forwards (Lukas Podolski, Yaya Sanogo and Joel Campbell) out on loan. With Danny Welbeck injured, this struck some as a strange decision. In recent days, however, it’s become clear that this decision was actually a demonstration of the faith he has in young striker, Chuba Akpom.
The 19-year-old has started to feature more regular in recent weeks and he even managed to get 20 minutes against Aston Villa last weekend (probably ‘cos his side was already 3-0 up when he came on). The youngster didn’t disappoint, catching the eye with his neat change of pace and his willingness to take defenders on.
He even managed to win a penalty, which Santi Cazorla dutifully dispatched. The only disappointment was that he failed to get on the score-sheet, despite being set up on numerous occasions.
Interestingly, Akpom would have been out of contract in the summer. The fact that he’s now getting game-time must be Arsene Wenger’s attempt to convince him to stay. Indeed, The Metro claim that Liverpool were interested in snapping him up, whilst also noting that Red Bull Salzburg, Feyenoord, FC Twente and even Borussia Dortmund were keeping tabs on the young British forward.
With some positioning him as the next Daniel Sturridge, there’s every reason to back him. Luckily for The Gunners, the aforementioned source suggests that Akpom has signed up for a new four-and-a-half year deal. It looks like he’s going to be around for a while.
That’s great news. I only wonder what the future holds for Yaya Sanogo and co.?
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