After watching his north London rival Harry Kane make headlines for Spurs, Chuba Akpom is hoping he too is on the verge of a breakthrough at his boyhood club.
Akpom – capped for England at U16s, U17s, U19s and U20s levels – has featured on six occasions for the Gunners this term, and appeared in their FA Cup victories over Hull City and Brighton.
“The season so far has been great and I’m really enjoying it,” said the 19-year-old striker.
Arsenal v Middlesbrough
FA Cup Fifth Round
4pm, Sunday 15 February
Emirates Stadium
Live on BT Sport
Winners receive £180,000
“It’s the oldest competition in English football, and there’s a lot of history behind it. So to be able to get a few chances to perform in the Cup this season has been really special.
“Now it’s about working hard, training well and just getting more game-time under my belt.”
Born and raised in Canning Town, east London, Akpom was snapped up by Arsenal at the age of six.
And for the boyhood Arsenal fan, it was a day he would never forget.
“I can remember the day, I was wearing an Arsenal shirt – I still have the picture framed from that day up in my house.
Chuba Akpom celebrates after scoring for England U20s against Canada in November 2014
“My whole family are Arsenal fans, so to join them was an amazing feeling.”
Fast-forward 12 years to 12 April 2014 and Akpom, then aged 18, was named among Arsenal’s substitutes for their FA Cup Semi-Final tie against Wigan Athletic – and Akpom recalled with great fondness the moment he found out he would be with the first team at Wembley.
“We had just finished training the day before the game,” he said.
“Once we finish the sessions we all go back to the training centre and a few minutes later they put the squad up a screen and my name was on it.
“I was absolutely buzzing. It’s a massive thing being in the squad for a semi-final at Wembley.
“It went to extra time and I was warming up on the sidelines. For a while I thought I might get on. It wasn’t to be, but it was a memorable day and a great experience.”
It was his last FA Cup involvement for the victorious 2013-14 campaign.
Chuba Akpom won Arsenal a penalty during their Premier League victory against Aston Villa earlier this month
A year later Akpom is a fully-fledged member of the first-team squad – and as the business end of the season approaches, the club has put its faith in the young English striker.
In-house rival strikers Benik Afobe and Yaya Sanogo have been allowed to leave the club, a show of faith Akpom is keen to repay.
“It gives me a lot of confidence,” he said.
“For Arsene Wenger to send other strikers out and to keep me with the first team shows that he has got a lot of trust in me – and I’m grateful for that.
“Now it’s all about repaying that faith and getting minutes on the pitch under my belt.
“I’m in the squad now. I’m in the changing room, training with the first-team squad every day.
"Now it’s a case of making the next step from first-team squad to first team.
“That’s what I’m working towards.”
Arsenal take on Middlesbrough at The Emirates on Sunday 15 February. Kick-off is at 4pm and the game is live on BT Sport.
