Arsenal: Looming Kelechi Nwakali exit feels far too sudden

Arsenal have a massive crop of youngsters, so losing one may not seem like the end of the world, but Kelechi Nwakali? Why?

It was about a week ago that I was all excited about Kelechi Nwakali furthering himself via a loan move to Portugal, which was an upgrade over where he spent his loan last year. All of this was done with the objective of getting Nwakali into the first team at Arsenal in the next couple of years.

He’s only 20 years old, so it’s not like there’s a time constraint here. The talent is there, the athleticism is there, and he plays the position that the Gunners seem to have specialized in – central attacking midfield.

However, he has been compared to Yaya Toure as well, for his ability to play as a deep-lying playmaker, albeit with the athleticism to do more than your typical player in that position.

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Not to mention the fact that he has one hell of a pedigree. He won player of the tournament in the U17 World Cup two years ago. It was right after that performance that he was acquired by the Gunners and the excitement was inherent in the signing.

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As such, a loan move sounded good, he was progressing. But according to the reports, this loan comes with the option to buy afterwards.

Now that is something I can’t wrap my head around.

Admittedly, I haven’t been keeping intense tabs on the young Nigerian, but from what I have seen, I have liked. He has so much potential that in two, three years, there should be a product there and, if not, sell him then. It’s not like he’s taking up space. Like I said, it’s not like there is a time limit on this. Why even give that option and risk losing out on what is an incredibly talented young man?

It’s just something I can’t fully wrap my head around because it feels unnecessary. And when it comes to youngsters, there’s no reason to unnecessarily let them go unless you really don’t see a future for them, but again, it’s hard for me to see a situation where Nwakali was deemed to have no future. He’s just two years removed from being the best player at a U17 World Cup.

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That sounds like a future to me. But what do I know.