Chuba Akpom will be given the chance to establish himself as a first-team player in the forthcoming campaign after the 19-year-old scored a hat-trick in Arsenal’s opening pre-season game.
A Jack Wilshere penalty completed the 4-0 win over a Singapore Select XI, putting Arsène Wenger’s side through to Saturday night’s final against Everton.
But it was Akpom who commanded most of the attention. The teenage English striker has long been regarded as a player of huge potential after coming through Liam Brady’s youth system when the Irishman was in charge of the club’s academy.
Akpom made seven first team appearances last season before playing the same number of games on loan at Nottingham Forest, in the Championship, but Wenger said: “He will not go on loan [this season]. I sent him out on loan last year. I thought he needed that. This season, no. I plan to keep him with us.
“It’s down to him [what happens next]. I don’t know how much he will play, but this is an encouragement to do well and work even harder.
“He’s a young player and it can lift confidence. The confidence you sense in the dressing room from other players is important as well. That can help you. But let’s not forget it’s a friendly. He’s a good talent, but he has to work and show that in every game.”
“It’s all down to performance and attitude and he has that way to make a big talent. And after to be an efficient player week in week out, that’s the target.”
Akpom showed he has the support of his team-mates to do well. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain weighed in with praise for the England under-20 international, who has also played on loan for Coventry and Brentford.
“It was a good hat-trick,” Oxlade-Chamberlain said. “Chuba’s a really good player, very powerful and he makes good runs. He told me he made a few I didn’t see. And that’s what he needs to do, make runs in behind. He did well holding the ball up. For a striker it is important to score and he did that.”
Wilshere, who finished last season strongly with goals for Arsenal and England following a five-month ankle injury, also looked fit in the humid conditions.
Wenger added: “Jack has always had the appetite, but he was out for a long time. He showed in the last two or three games of last season, he has found his burst back. His acceleration. For him it is a big part of his game. There are high demands physically to be perfect. He is getting close.
“For me he can play in all the offensive positions. Wide, central, and we have many good creative players. They will all tell you they want to play centrally. Unfortunately, some have to go wide as well.
“He was injured last year, early in the season and missed five months. The top level today is so demanding physically that to be in and out is a nightmare for the players. He needs continuity. After that we play so many games, and we had a bid squad but not a massive one, and the opportunities will be there for everyone.”
