Arsenal: Chuba Akpom Could Reignite First Team Strikeforce

With Theo Walcott likely to resume duties on the wing next season, there seems to be a real opportunity for Arsenal youngster Chuba Akpom to exert his influence on the first team.

Throughout the Vardy transfer speculation whirlwind, rumors surfaced that Wenger wanted to retain Walcott even with the arrival of a new striker, employing him on the right wing on a permanent basis instead, rather than as the central forward as was often hoped.

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These rumors seemed credible as interest from West Ham and Liverpool for Walcott subsequently cooled in the aftermath. While this may spell the end of Walcott’s brief time up front, it may open up the door for youngster Chuba Akpom to earn a place in the first team.

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I am of the popular opinion that Akpom should have listened to Wenger’s proposition to stay and learn his trade around the ethos of the first team but as we know, Chuba chose to be loaned out to Championship side Hull City and apart from a stunning hattrick in the FA Cup, the England U21 international was mostly confined to a place on the substitutes bench.

However, this season could be very different. While all Gooners out there are hoping and praying that Wenger brings in a top quality striker this transfer window, it remains a possibility that Wenger will be satisfied with what he has got. I myself do see Wenger buying a forward (hopefully not from the Japanese League) but even with such a purchase, there remain many opportunities for Akpom as a third striker.

It is common football knowledge that every title chasing team requires three quality strikers to mount any sort of challenge in the upper threshold of the division. And with Arsenal likely to compete in 4 separate competitions for the majority of next season, even the arrival of another striker should not starve Akpom of first team chances.

Take Alex Iwobi for example, many would have seen him as fourth or fifth choice for a place on the wing but if Chuba can take his opportunities like young Alex did at the tail end of last season, it is very likely that he could be challenging Giroud for a starting place as soon as next season.

Many people forget that Akpom is only at the tender age of 20 and while his career of much promise has not yet materialized as planned, he still has a bright future ahead of him. He has proven in the much maligned Toulon tournament that there is the potential to be a top striker in him, Wenger and Arsenal just have to nurture this potential.

If Wenger does choose to move him on I can see another occurrence of the Benik Afobe disaster where he would perform brilliantly for a different Premier League side (this still makes my blood boil to this day). But Arsenal would be wise to give him first team opportunities this year, and much like the sudden rise of Alex Iwobi, they could reap the benefits of such faith being shown.

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To conclude, even with the much hoped arrival of a top quality centre forward, with Walcott likely to shifted to the wing, Akpom could be in for a real season of promise and opportunity, all he has to do is take it.