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Arsenal Cannot Afford to Lose Chuba Akpom, Striker Options Thin Already
By Josh Sippie
Chuba Akpom is a 19-year old striker. As such, the concept that Arsenal cannot afford to lose him may seem a bit strange, but it’s a fact.
Since January 1st, Arsene Wenger has saw fit to send Lukas Podolski, Yaya Sanogo and Joel Campbell out on loan while selling Benik Afobe. That left Arsenal with Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck and Chuba Akpom as the striker options.
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Now, with Danny Welbeck having a nagging injury that has no end in sight, Olivier Giroud is the sole senior striker on the team. An injury to Giroud and Arsenal’s hopes of a championship spot are shot.
Chuba Akpom is the sole cover, and now he’s on the verge of kissing North London goodbye.
Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool and FC Twente are just a few of the teams rumored to be set to swoop up the Arsenal youngster (according to the Metro). Arsenal simply cannot let this happen.
Seeing Afobe leave was painful, he had done such a fantastic job on loan at MK Dons. Chuba Akpom isn’t much different. At 19 years old, he’s had scarce opportunities for first-team action, but clearly Wenger has some faith in him to have him up with the senior squad.
He’s looked composed in the little time he has had, and given his inclusion in the first team squad, it’s a wonder why such a young talent would be interested in the exit.
Wenger cannot let Akpom go. We are too thin at striker yet again. We are one injury away from derailment and Akpom is the last bastion that can keep us afloat should the worst happen (unless Welbeck can manage to come back at some point).
Another striker being sold is silliness, and hopefully Wenger sees that.
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