Pre-season is the opportunity for players to break into the first team and challenge for a starting place. It is often a time where youth players in particular can make or break their Arsenal careers.
There has been plenty of focus this season on youth for Arsenal. With players like Charlie Patino being given minutes with the senior side and Mikel Arteta giving further chances for youth talents to bed into a senior matchday experience.
However, some players were sent out on loan and will return ahead of the new season having already developed on the senior stage. One name in particular has stood out whilst playing away with the club.
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Brooke Norton-Cuffy joined Lincoln on loan and shone straight away. He impressed so much he was quickly dubbed ‘Brooke Norton-Cafu’ thanks to his excellent attacking displays which helped his loan club to improve their attacking potential considerably.
Manager Michael Appleton went as far as to claim he could safely say the 18-year-old would become an Arsenal regular. He highlighted that he felt there were areas he could improve for him especially.
“I don’t want Arsenal ringing me up saying ‘what have you said that for?' But I’ve been saying it behind the scenes, I think he will play for Arsenal’s first team on a regular basis. It might not be for a couple of years but it’s definitely going to happen.
“He’ll hopefully continue his progression over the next few games. There are one or two things that I think I can help him with, but by the time he goes back to Arsenal, he’ll be much better.”
Mikel Arteta has a trip to the United States planned before returning to the Emirates for a clash with Sevilla in late July. Norton-Cuffy has impressed the Spanish coach, football.london understands, and a new deal is expected to be signed according to The Athletic.
He will be in competition with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Cedric Soares for a place. Arsenal are unlikely to sign a new right-back with Cedric happy at the club football.london understands.
However, that said, this does open the path for Norton-Cuffy to compete this summer. Furthermore, having qualified for the Europa League next season, there will be greater opportunities in the form of group stage games should he stay.
The alternative is getting another loan deal, most likely at a level above. Making the step up to the Championship or even a lower-level Premier League side would give Norton-Cuffy more chances to play than perhaps he would get at Arsenal.
That said, the opportunity to battle with the Premier League quality players of Tomiyasu and Cedric will be a test he is sure to relish. The future looks bright for both the youngster and his club.
