%20rotate(-8.06)%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22336.19%20136.81%20330.16%2094.25%20326.06%2071.19%20326.44%2071.13%20335.22%2093.54%20352.29%20134.52%20373.95%20131.46%20362.7%2052.01%20350.02%2053.8%20356.05%2096.36%20360.15%20119.42%20359.77%20119.48%20350.99%2097.08%20333.91%2056.09%20312.25%2059.15%20323.51%20138.6%20336.19%20136.81%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22402.91%2059.3%20412.36%20126.02%20427.17%20123.92%20417.72%2057.21%20431.59%2055.24%20429.79%2042.51%20387.23%2048.53%20389.04%2061.27%20402.91%2059.3%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22463.51%20118.77%20458.69%2084.71%20474.68%2082.44%20479.51%20116.5%20494.36%20114.4%20483.11%2034.95%20468.26%2037.06%20472.96%2070.25%20456.96%2072.52%20452.26%2039.32%20437.4%2041.43%20448.65%20120.88%20463.51%20118.77%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22540.5%20107.87%20538.77%2095.68%20518.91%2098.49%20515.77%2076.29%20535.63%2073.47%20533.93%2061.5%20514.07%2064.32%20511.11%2043.42%20530.98%2040.61%20529.25%2028.42%20494.53%2033.34%20505.78%20112.78%20540.5%20107.87%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22299.03%20155.17%20301.29%20171.58%20542.78%20138.39%20540.5%20121.97%20299.03%20155.17%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Arsenal set to lose talented academy prospect to Chelsea
While Friday morning brought the positive news of Arsenal progressing in talks with Manchester City over Oleksandr Zinchenko, a more sour update emerged regarding the future of 18-year-old Omari Hutchinson.
The teenager is set to leave Arsenal and join Chelsea.
Hutchinson was widely regarded as one of the most talented academy prospects the Gunners boasted and Arsenal’s return to the Europa League next season was poised to offer the creative midfielder an opportunity to shine at a senior level.
The 18-year-old never made an appearance for Mikel Arteta’s first team, but he shone for the U23s in the Premier League 2 last season.
Talented Arsenal youngster Omari Hutchinson is set to join Chelsea
Chelsea have signed another talent for the future. After Zak Sturge deal, Chelsea will soon announce Omari Hutchinson as new signing - he’s set to leave Arsenal. 🚨🔵 #CFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 15, 2022
Talks collapsed with #AFC on new deal, Hutchinson will join Chelsea as @TheSecretScout_ reports. It’s done. pic.twitter.com/XJn3X2PJWx
The versatile Hutchinson trained regularly with the first team and his performances in the PL2 meant he was certainly knocking on Arteta’s door. The England U19 international contributed to 15 goals in 22 combined EFL Trophy and PL2 appearances last season.
However, Arsenal were expected to sanction a Championship loan for Hutchinson in 2022/23 with Reading interested, per football.london.
Omari Hutchinson goal v Chelsea last season. 💥pic.twitter.com/Io5bStAGr6
— TheSecretScout (@TheSecretScout_) July 15, 2022
Instead, though, it’ll be up to Chelsea to decide what they do with the gifted teenager next season. TheSecretScout was the first to report on Friday morning that the Blues had swooped for Hutchinson.
The report was quickly validated by Fabrizio Romano, who wrote that talks collapsed between Arsenal and the player over a new contract. Like the vast majority of the club’s academy talents, Hutchinson was left out of the Gunners’ pre-season tour to the USA.
Exactly why Hutchinson has opted to switch London allegiances remains to be seen, but there’s no denying that this is a big blow for Arsenal. Many were tipping the exciting 18-year-old to emerge as the next best thing in north London, with some even going as far as saying Hutchinson could enjoy a Bukayo Saka-like start to his senior career with the Gunners.
Unfortunately, our loss is Chelsea’s gain but with the Blues absolutely stacked in attacking areas, it’s hard to envisage where Hutchinson’s minutes at a senior level will arrive.