Arsenal have confirmed a first professional contract for young striker Khayon Edwards, having impressed through the academy. The 18-year-old, often described as a “prolific striker” at youth level, has been linked with a move to Chelsea and Brighton in recent weeks.
However, doubts over his future have been put to rest with his new contract, joining a long list of academy forwards that have made their way through the ranks. It comes ahead of a huge summer for Mikel Arteta in that particular department.
The pairing of Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are set to leave the club at the end of the season, becoming free agents, leaving academy graduate Folarin Balogun as the only natural centre-forward option after his loan spell at Middlesbrough. While Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli have been touted as playing there too, the need for a goalscorer couldn’t be clearer.
READ MORE: Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: New contract confirmed, Shock Gabriel decision, Jesus twist
Arteta has already addressed the upcoming search for a forward, stating: “He puts the ball in the net – that’s priority number one. Goal threat. Any successful team needs enough goal threat in the squad. Without it, you have nothing.
“You can play good football, but you need enough goal threat in the team. The other thing is that he has to complement the other people we have, personally and on the pitch. We need the right profile.”
However, in light of the news of Edwards’ extended stay, it could show the trust to continue bringing through the youth. With Nketiah already stepping up, Balogun could be the next after his first taste of senior football, with Edwards potentially closely behind.
Speaking to the official Arsenal website, the youngster said: “I'm very delighted to have signed my first professional contract. I've worked hard for this moment. It's been a very important season for me, but now it's time to step up and prove what I've proved time and time again.”
It will also be welcome news to the Gunners that they should keep hold of a promising prospect, having scored 16 and assisted five in the under-18s this season. Before the forward had signed on, both Chelsea and Brighton were interested in signing him as a free agent, per the Athletic, showing just how much he could develop.
Whether he makes it at Arsenal remains to be seen, however, the influx of youth continues to show a path to the first-team and the potential options for Edwards to become yet another Hale End star.
