by Nia Griffiths

After scoring a hat-trick against Singapore Select XI on Wednesday, Chuba Akpom has admitted that he knows footballers don’t get this chance often.

The forward has mainly played for our under-21s but has hovered around the fringes of the first team for years, repeatedly being put out on loan to get him the vital experience Arsene Wenger is convinced he needs before breaking into the senior squad.

Other than loan moves to Brentford, Coventry City, and Nottingham Forest, the striker hasn’t played for another team and is the epitome of ‘home-grown‘.

It seems now the youngster may have his chance after Wenger confirmed that he wouldn’t be going out on another loan.

Chuba Akpom

 

Speaking after his hat-trick in the Barclays Asia Trophy, he said, “I’m buzzing for the hat-trick but most importantly I’m buzzing for the win. It was a good team performance but it was even better to get a hat-trick. I’m just hoping I can carry on my form for the rest of the pre-season and take it into the season.”

He went on, “You’ve got to give 100 per cent because you don’t get this chance often, so when you get it you have to make the most of it. Hopefully the boss has seen that I’ve been working hard in training, that I’ve been working hard on the pitch, and hopefully I can get more game time in the season.”

Finally, he added, “I’ve been at Arsenal since I was six years old, so that’s a few years and I really want to stay here. This season could be a big season for me and with a lot of hard work it could be a breakthrough season for me. The main thing is to stay here and I think the loans have helped me gain experience. I’m just getting better every time.”

With Akpom, the desire is there. He’s still very young, only 19-year-olds, and he’s got a bright future ahead of him. Hopefully that future is with Arsenal.