Arsenal Taught Chuba Akpom Some Intriguing Lessons

Arsenal being opposite Hull City prevented the Tigers from starting their loanees. That means Chuba Akpom should have learned a lot.

Arsenal and Hull City have a long-standing relationship of loaning. This year, Chuba Akpom and Isaac Hayden are both spending their time with the Tigers, with mixed results. Hayden has become the subject of rumors, as Steve Brice mentioned in passing that he would like to sign the Englishman long term.

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However, given that Arsenal was at the other end of the pitch, Hull was not able to unleash their Arsenal products on the mothership. That also means that these Arsenal products were sitting front and center, watching their club struggle (and fail) to score while their loan squad stifled what is supposed to be a world-class attack.

Were you paying attention, Chuba? What did you learn?

If Akpom learned anything, it’s that Arsenal took a bold tactic against the Tigers – no strikers. Because there were none to be had. Akpom should have been smiling the entire time because it is pretty obvious that if the young Englishman can live up to any sort of potential, he will be starting in those games when he returns to Arsenal.

It was just a void up front. Welbeck was wide left, Walcott veered wide right and everyone else was doing their part to create chances but had no one to finish them. Eventually Wenger had to cave in and do what he never wanted to do – put Giroud on. He is the only striker on the squad after all.

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Again, if that doesn’t inspire a bit of confidence in Akpom, I don’t know what will. This is Arsenal, so when Akpom returns, he will have first dibs at claiming that role. Even if he can’t chances are Arsenal will not buy someone else. That’s right, Arsenal will not be dropping £77m. Nice try Daily Star.

There is a feast waiting to be consumed for Akpom. All he has to do it learn how to chew it. Wenger made it pretty clear that he did not want to send Akpom out on loan and it is pretty apparent why, given the fact that no one else plays the position. However, he gave Akpom the option and Chuba decided it was best to get regular playing time.

Nothing wrong with that. He probably didn’t realize that he could have been starting every League Cup and FA Cup game.

Given the increased inclusion of Alex Iwobi, Akpom would have found time. But that will have to wait until next year. Hopefully Akpom was paying attention. There are actually several lessons he could have taken. One is a lesson of patience. Wenger said he shouldn’t be loaned out.

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But the big lesson is obviously the lesson of faith. Wenger has faith in Akpom to come back and fill the void. Not only that, but Akpom had to see that Wenger is not going to overload a position at Arsenal. He is going to give Akpom every chance and absolutely not sign reinforcements if not 100% needed.