Arsenal: Chuba Akpom Has Outed Himself

Arsenal are in dire need of a striking partner for Olivier Giroud, which makes us wonder where Chuba Akpom stands. In my reckoning, way far out of the picture.

Ask anyone what Arsenal need and at some point within their first breath, they will say a new striker. Whether they are of the mind that believes that Olivier Giroud needs to be replaced (as wrong as that is) or they are of the mind that Giroud just needs help (the right side of the debate), everyone agrees – bring in a striker.

But what about Chuba Akpom? The young Englishman spent the year at Hull City and is supposedly going to be given a shot at Arsenal, but what shot does he really have and, follow up question, where did it go wrong?

Well, let’s address the first question first: Not much of one. I get that Chuba is only 20, but Arsenal is at a point where they need to win now. Handing charity starts to guys like Chuba Akpom just isn’t going to happen. I would be surprised if Iwobi comes into the new season as the starter. There are just too many questions.

Arsene Wenger knows his time is ticking and he needs to win now. Arsenal’s not done in the transfer window. They are going to lock up a striker and that striker is going to block Akpom. That’s just how it goes.

The second question is what I wanted to spend more time talking about. Chuba Akpom went out on loan this year, despite the fact that Wenger didn’t want him to. Guess what? Wenger was absolutely right. Funny. He usually is.

Wenger told Akpom before the season started that it was his choice whether he go out on loan or not. Akpom chose loan. The loan was so underwhelming that I would call it more of a step back then a step forward. Aside from a random hat trick, the 20 year old did next to nothing. He ended the season with seven total goals in 41 combined appearances.

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He could have managed that at Arsenal. And in the process, he could have grown more accustomed to the Arsenal system, learned from some of the best, appeased Le Prof and covered for Welbeck when he was hurt and then Walcott when he was.

Again, funny how Wenger always manages to know what he’s talking about.

I understand why Akpom chose loan. He made cameo appearances for Arsenal the previous season as well and to him, it wasn’t enough. However, all things considered, he would have made more appearances this year and he could have built up quite a chunk of play time. Especially as compared to the minuscule 1800 minutes he notched at Hull City.

This is going to be a tough year for Akpom because last year was supposed to be his trial year. With Giroud still in place and whoever Wenger brings in, Akpom has about half a season to make a statement before Welbeck comes back. Then we are back to square one – cameos.

Next: Arsenal's Five Best Striking Options

At some point Akpom has to make some inroads. Especially with Donyell Malen rising rather quickly.

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