Youngster has impressed Arsene Wenger during pre-season
Arsenal’s young prosept Chuba Akpom hopes to challenge for a place in the Gunners’ starting XI this season following some impressive form during pre-season.
The 19 year-old netted a hat-trick during a pre-season run-out in Singapore this summer, and backed up that form by impressing during the annual Emirates Cup held in North London last weekend.
With Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck the only two recognised experienced strikers at the club, many thought Arsene Wenger may open his cheque-book to sign another striker this summer.
However, Akpom feels that with his manager’s faith in giving young players an opportunity at the club, he can be the man to step up and compete alongside the aforementioned pair.
Akpom Ready for First Team
“It’s nice to see the young players doing well and the boss says he will always give opportunities to young players who are doing their job.
“The main thing for me is for a manger to have confidence and faith in me so for the manager to say that he isn’t after another striker is good.
“But the hard work doesn’t stop there it means you have to maintain a place and there are a lot of good strikers and goals in the team so hopefully this season I can give it my all and be involved in the team.”
Akpom is set to get another chance to impress as Arsenal take on current Premier League champions Chelsea in the Community Shield at Wembley this weekend.
By Matt Derrig
