A major factor in Tyreece John-Jules' imminent loan move to Lincoln City is the fact that he will play as a central striker.
football.london understands the 18-year-old had interest from League One clubs higher in the table as well as Championship clubs but those who proposed playing out wide or as a No.10. were immediately discounted.
At this stage of his career, carving out his own path as a striker will be vital. Rather than becoming a utility player, it's clear that Arsenal want John-Jules to be the figurehead at the top of the pitch.
Despite this, once the forward returns from his loan spell, he may well be able to fit in at multiple positions for the Gunners. For the Under-23s, Steve Bould has used him as a No.10. at times, linking playing and attacking from deep rather than leading the line.
Although Mikel Arteta has only been back at the club for three weeks, he has been able to see this first hand. Not only has John-Jules been regularly involved in his training sessions, but he was also on the bench vs Chelsea and Leeds United - .
He may be going on loan to work on his craft as a striker, but the Spaniard also recognises how useful John-Jules can be in a deeper role.
"He can do everything. He links really well on the ball every time he is out of the No9 position, he’s got a really good ability to do that," he said when asked about the youngster playing as a No.10. for the Under-23s.
"He reads situations earlier than others and is a good finisher as well. Physically he’s developed in a really good shape so I think he’s a really good player."
John-Jules is mostly tasked with playing as a No.10. when Folarin Balogun starting alongside him. Balogun tends to lead the line as he drops off to link play and this is something that has improved over the course of the season.
Early this season, Bould's side hosted Leicester Under-23s at the Emirates where John-Jules started as a No.10. In the first half, however, Arsenal struggled to get a hold of the game and create real chances. John-Jules was often bypassed as the young Foxes forced Arsenal to go long.
Recognising this, Bould decided to push John-Jules further forward in the second half. Within six minutes, the 18-year-old had scored twice - one a left-footed volley and the other a well-placed side foot into the bottom corner - to hand the Gunners all three points.
"We changed formation at half time because our system in the first half wasn't really working," he explained after the September victory to the Islington Gazette .
"He (Bould) is a top manager who has great experiences at this level and with the first team, so we're all trying to learn from him as best we can."
The youngster has improved in the role since which was evident in his display against . He was constantly found in space between the lines and had a great sense of timing to join attacks and get shots off.
As Arsenal have such a talented pool of young strikers, John-Jules having this skill set could pay dividends when he returns in the summer. Gabriel Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah and Balogun will be vying for the No.9. role but none have been exposed to the No.10. position as much as him.
Emile Smith Rowe may be his competition there but having that versatility will only help in the long run.
When looking at recent academy graduates, especially the ones further up the pitch, they have all had to settle for playing in positions that aren't preferred. Reiss Nelson has played as a wing-back, Ainsley Maitland-Niles finally seems to be accepting the full-back role that was thrust upon him and there was debate as to whether Alex Iwobi was really a winger or actually a central midfielder.
For the moment it seems that Arsenal are set on John-Jules making his name as a striker - as they should be - but Arteta's words shouldn't fall on deaf ears. He has already recognised the all-around positives in the 18-year-old's game and in the coming seasons, these could prove vital when he tries to properly break into the first team.
