Arsenal: Henry Onyekuru provides valuable learning experience

Arsenal’s move for Henry Onyekuru is stalling as he seeks guaranteed minutes, but his words should only make the deal even spicier.

Arsenal’s search for a striker has led to some outlandish reports of bids in the triple digits. Meanwhile, the striker we all thought we already had, Nigerian Henry Onyekuru, has stalled following statements from the man himself.

Here’s what he had to say about his future:

"It’s not just about going to a big club and sitting on the bench. It’s not good for me, or being loaned to a club where I won’t play or where I will struggle to play.The money can come later but for now, I just want to play to improve, not just to play for a big club,’ the 20-year-old added."

Here we have a 20 year old striker who knows exactly who he is and what he wants. He isn’t doing all of this for glory or fortune. He is doing it because he loves the game and wants to be better at it.

Sound like anyone we know?

Alexis Sanchez has said similar things in the past. About how it is all about improving as a player and reaching the absolutely peak of what you are capable of. Onyekuru is of the same mind and that in itself is why Arsene Wenger should be making promises and paying fees to bring the Jupiler League star to the Emirates.

So Onyekuru wants guaranteed playing time. What is so ridiculous about that? Only Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud stand in his way and there are enough competitions to go around. He can absolutely expect to play a set amount of minutes with the Gunners, even if Lucas Perez was unable to find it.

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Next year, Alexis will not be in the starting striker picture. Which means that, barring any monumental deals, Onyekuru has a very high likelihood of being given his proper chance.

This is such a valuable learning experience for everyone involved. Onyekuru can learn to be a better striker. Wenger can learn to give guys a damn chance (and I mean everyone, not just his favorites). Arsenal supporters can learn (again) that transfer fees are not everything.

All of the parties that matter learn something in the event that the two parties reach an agreement. He is a goal scorer. That in and of itself puts him in fantastic shape when flanked by the likes of Alexis and Mesut Ozil.

From there, it’s all about exploration and learning, which is aided tremendously by confidence. Confidence can be obtained by tapping in easy goals when this attack, which clicked around an unstable striking duo, continues to click around Onyekuru, who has massive amounts of raw talent.

Next: Arsenal's 15 Greatest Strikers Of All Time

It’s a risk, absolutely. But the lad boasts a similar beginning to Romelu Lukaku. So there’s that too.

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