Miguel Azeez is likely to remain at Arsenal this season rather than going on loan, unless the club make another deep midfield signing.

Miguel Azeez (L) and Brooke Norton-Cuffy celebrate Azeez's goal against Ebbsfleet United (Photo by Dan Critchlow)
Miguel Azeez (L) and Brooke Norton-Cuffy celebrate Azeez’s goal against Ebbsfleet United (Photo by Dan Critchlow)

Football.London report that contrary to some rumours, Miguel Azeez is unlikely to go on loan this summer. They do add that the situation could depend on the rest of Arsenal’s midfield options, however.

Given Granit Xhaka is now staying, Arsenal are less likely to push ahead with a deeper midfield signing. But if they did, that would block Azeez’s path.

One thing to note about Azeez is that he isn’t a number 10. Whilst in attendance at the Ebbsfleet game I could hear a group of Arsenal fans repeatedly remarking with surprise that Azeez was playing so deep. That’s normal for him.

Perhaps it’s the clips of his fantastic catalogue of goals circulating on social media that have people confused, but Azeez usually plays a slightly deeper midfield role more similar to Thomas Partey’s in the first team than Emile Smith Rowe’s.

So if Arsenal go and sign James Maddison, that’s not going to matter too much for Azeez. It’s only if they bring in a Manuel Locatelli or Bruno Guimaraes that the youngster’s chances of senior action this season will start to fade.

Azeez seems to have bulked up a bit physically ahead of the new campaign, and he has two goals in two appearances in pre-season – one for the first team and one for the u23s. I certainly would not be against getting him more involved at the senior level.