When you’ve been at the same club since the age of six, you usually have an attachment and connection to the institution which only your fellow academy peers can understand. Chuba Akpom is one of those youngsters who has literally grown from a boy to a man at Arsenal. The 20-year-old forward has played for every level of the Gunners’ youth set-up before making his first team debut in 2013. As is the case with many young talents trying to prove themselves at Arsenal, Akpom has had short loan spells at Brentford, Coventry, Nottingham Forest and most recently Hull City.
It was on Humberside that Akpom finally made inroads at a crucial point in his career. He scored in his first two games against Huddersfield and Accrington Stanley, before notching his first professional hat trick against Bury in the FA Cup. Impressively, Akpom’s first full season in English football ended with promotion to the top flight and a cap for England Under-21s. Those kind of experiences are what can turn a shy, young boy into a determined, success-driven man.
"He’s going to be a very very good," said then-Hull manager Steve Bruce.
"He’s still got a lot to learn. He’s still got to keep his feet on the ground and work hard at it but we’re starting to see him."
Akpom’s chance to establish himself in the Arsenal first team is now a distinct possibility following the news that Olivier Giroud won’t be match fit for the Premier League opener against Liverpool. While the majority of fans, pundits and even players admit to the widely accepted opinion that Arsene Wenger’s side won’t win the Premier League without a new striker to help Giroud, it is Akpom who is quietly making an impact on and off the pitch.
Since returning for pre-season training, the Newham-born hotshot has scored in two consecutive friendlies on Arsenal’s US tour, both finishes that have all the hallmarks of a clinical goal poacher. Furthermore, the Gunners coaching staff are said to be highly impressed with Akpom’s work ethic in training and somewhat surprised at how he looks sharper than the likes of Theo Walcott, a player who spent much of the summer keeping fit in the gym after hiring a personal trainer.
Indeed, Wenger’s search for a new striker hasn’t produced a signing so far. The pursuit of Jamie Vardy failed after he rejected Arsenal to sign a contract extension at Leicester, while a bid for Alexandre Lacazette has been turned down by Lyon who are currently drawing up a new deal for their talismanic French frontman. Talks continue between the two clubs over Lacazette, but the failure to sign a striker of note just a week before the new season begins could be to Akpom’s gain. Despite playing just 28 minutes of Premier League football, he is in with a genuine chance to start upfront against Liverpool when the two teams meet at Emirates Stadium on August 14.
And if Akpom has any qualms about being good enough to lead the line for Arsenal he only has to look at fellow academy graduate Alex Iwobi. The Nigerian broke into the first team last season and there is no doubt that he will be given further opportunities this season. Iwobi's highlights include starting in Champions League matches against Bayern Munich and Barcelona, while also featuring in the north London derby. If there is anyone to follow in his footsteps then the 20-year-old is certainly the man.
Based on what has been seen in pre-season so far, Akpom is above Theo Walcott in the pecking order to start against Liverpool and it will stay that way unless the Englishman impresses on Arsenal's trip to Scandinavia this weekend. Joel Campbell's versatility means he is more than likely to used on the wing, while the absent Yaya Sanogo has been told that he needs to go out on loan to gain further experience.
Whoever starts upfront on August 14, Arsene Wenger has a decision to make that could easily turn Akpom's blossoming career from prospect to first team regular. It happened with Iwobi and there's no reason why it can't happen with the player who looks set to accept Nigeria's offer to play for them, something encouraged by his long-time Arsenal team-mate and friend. Wenger has always given youth a chance when he feels the player is ready and there's no time like the present for one of the most highly-rated academy graduates since Jack Wilshere.
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