Arsenal’s Hale End Academy graduate Chuba Akpom excels in the Championship, attracting interest from clubs in England and Germany.

MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - MARCH 14: Middlesbrough striker Chuba Akpom reacts during the Sky Bet Championship between Middlesbrough and Stoke City at Riverside Stadium on March 14, 2023 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND – MARCH 14: Middlesbrough striker Chuba Akpom reacts during the Sky Bet Championship between Middlesbrough and Stoke City at Riverside Stadium on March 14, 2023 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Impressive scoring record

Arsenal’s Hale End Academy graduate Chuba Akpom has been making waves in the Championship, impressing with his consistent goal-scoring ability for Middlesbrough.

Despite a recent 2-1 loss to Premier League-bound Burnley, Akpom managed to continue his excellent form in front of goal, becoming the first Boro player to score in seven consecutive games at the Riverside Stadium.

Akpom’s 48th-minute penalty marked his 26th goal in 33 appearances in the second tier of English football, extending his lead at the top of the scoring charts by eight goals.

His recent scoring run includes goals against Reading, Swansea City, Stoke City, Preston North End, and Huddersfield Town.

In comparison to the top four divisions of English football – the Premier League, Championship, League One, and League Two – only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland has scored more goals this season than Akpom.

The Norwegian recently netted his 30th Premier League goal in Manchester City’s 4-1 victory over Southampton.

Attracting interest from clubs

Akpom’s impressive form has attracted the attention of several clubs, with Werder Bremen and Borussia Mönchengladbach reportedly keeping tabs on the 27-year-old striker.

Additionally, Premier League clubs have expressed interest in the former Arsenal youngster ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

Akpom at Arsenal

Chuba Akpom
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 20: Chuba Akpom of Arsenal celebrates after winning a penalty which lead to his sides second goal during the EFL Cup Third Round match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal at City Ground on September 20, 2016 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Now 27, Chuba Akpom joined Arsenal’s Hale End Academy at the age of six and progressed through the youth ranks at the club.

He made his first-team debut for Arsenal on September 26, 2013, in a League Cup match against West Bromwich Albion at the age of 17.

During his time at Arsenal, Akpom was primarily used in the youth and reserve teams, where he displayed his potential as a prolific goal scorer.

However, he found it difficult to break into the senior team, which was loaded with talented attacking options.

Consequently, Akpom was loaned out to various clubs in England to gain more first-team experience.

He had loan spells at Brentford, Coventry City, Nottingham Forest, Hull City, and Brighton & Hove Albion.

Akpom made only a handful of appearances for Arsenal’s senior team, failing to score a competitive goal for the club.

In August 2018, after spending 16 years at the club, Akpom signed a permanent deal with Greek club PAOK, ending his time at Arsenal. Arsenal received €2.2m for him.