Arsenal: Chuba Akpom Could Be Set For Major Role

Arsenal beat the MLS All Star’s on Thursday 2-1 thanks to a late Chuba Akpom. The young striker could be set for a major role this season, if no further investment is seen this summer.

Integrating young players into regular first team roles is one of the many important tasks that a big club manager must undertake. This role is prioritized ever more so in world of modern football where fans are pining for homegrown talent, big spending and success all rolled into one. It is a task that almost seems impossible.

Being able to blood young and developing players into the starting eleven often means dropping established starters in their stead. Quite often a manager will exploit a long term injury or loss of form to drop a regular starter in favor of playing a younger, but perhaps more talented player.

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Last season, Wenger was able to use the injuries to Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to give Alex Iwobi crucial game time towards the end of the season. This year, Wenger may well have to do so again with another rising star amid the Arsenal cast, whether he wants to do so or not.

After scoring a late winner in Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over the MLS All Stars, Chuba Akpom has put his name front and center of the possible starting strikers. Along with Theo Walcott and Yaya Sanogo, Akpom is set to fight for the number one center forward to open the season due to Olivier Giroud’s absence given by Wenger after his international excursions with France in the European Champiobships.

Many are expecting Arsenal to invest in a new striker before the transfer window shuts. However, as time passes by and reported interest moves from a center forward to a center back, it is becoming more and more likely that Wenger may well have and hold with his forward options.

Consequently, Akpom is suddenly set to become a rather important part of the squad. With Welbeck out til most probably 2017, if Wenger does indeed choose to not bring in another striker, Akpom could well find himself as the number two center forward behind Olivier Giroud.

Next: 5 Takeaways From Arsenal's Victory over MLS All Stars

Such experience will most definitely be good for his development. However, whether he has the ability to handle such responsibility at such a young age remains to be seen. It would be risky of Wenger to make such a move, but being a man who values youth development so highly, it could well be the decision he makes.

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