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Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Arsenal have incentive to reach agreement for wonderkid as Championship play-offs confirmed

Arsenal have used the loan market smartly this season and there's a chance to repeat the trick for the 2023/24 campaign.

Of the 29-man strong group, youngsters such as Omar Rekik, Miguel Azeez, Auston Trusty, Charlie Patino, Marquinhos, Kido Taylor-Hart, Billy Vigar, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, Tom Smith, Mazeed Ogungbo and Taylor Foran have all gained experienced at clubs in the English Football League.

But perhaps the biggest success story is Brooke Norton-Cuffy. The talented right-back actually spent the first half of the season with Rotherham United before being recalled by the Gunners and sent to Coventry City to continue his development, delighting Mark Robins in the process.

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta sends Premier League title message to Pep Guardiola as Arsenal gamble pays off

"We are delighted to welcome Brooke to Coventry City on loan until the end of the season", he told the club's official website. "He is a strong and powerful wing-back with great pedigree and attitude, who will add further quality to our squad. Brooke is a player who we tried to bring in during the summer transfer window, so we are really pleased to have the opportunity to add him now and are looking forward to working with him."

Since arriving at the CBS Arena, Norton-Cuffy has made 21 appearances, the most recent of which came on the final day of the regular Championship season as Coventry drew 1-1 with Middlesbrough.

That result was enough to confirm the Sky Blues' place in the play-offs where they'll face Boro over two legs knowing they are a couple of steps away from sealing a return to the Premier League for the first time since the 2000/01 season when they relegated alongside Manchester City.

Now, should Coventry earn promotion to the top-flight of English football it may set up the chance for them and Arsenal to come to an agreement for another loan deal for Norton-Cuffy just so he can test himself against the likes of Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish, Kaoru Mitoma and Luis Diaz.

Having impressed in League One with Lincoln City in the second half of last season and then doing the same in the Championship this year, logically the next step for the teenager is to determine if he's ready for the Premier League and if he can be Arsenal's long-term right-back.

After all, upon signing a new long-term contract at the Emirates Stadium last summer, Norton-Cuffy said: "I'm really over the moon to sign for such a great club. I've been dreaming of this day for a long time and I worked hard for this moment and I’ve got it, so I’m very proud."

A lot may depend on what business Arsenal get done in the summer transfer window amid links to Ivan Fresneda, but it's worth keeping an eye on Norton-Cuffy as his development could end up saving the club millions of pounds in the future.

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