Akpom: Arsenal don’t need another striker
All of the talk on the Emirates Stadium terraces this summer has been about manager Arsene Wenger’s need to buy a world class striker to support Frenchman Olivier Giroud in Arsenal’s attack.
To-date Wenger has been unable to tempt a poacher to join the Gunners Premier League title challenge, missing out on the likes of Jamie Vardy and Gonzalo Higuain.
However, Arsenal youngster Chuba Akpom, who spent last season on loan with Hull City, is convinced Wenger should end his search now and that he is the answer to the Gunners’ striking conundrum.
Akpom scored during Arsenal’s 3-2 win against Manchester City on Sunday, leaving the Englishman as the Gunners’ top scorer across their five pre-season fixtures.
With Giroud given an extended break following his exertions with France at Euro 2016 and just Theo Walcott and Alexis Sanchez remaining as Wenger’s striking options; Akpom seems certain to be given his opportunity in the opening weeks of the season.
“It feels good to help your team win,” he said. “The main thing is to gain fitness. The main thing for me is to make the most out of every opportunity and hopefully I’ve done that this pre-season.
“Manchester City was a strong side full of experienced internationals, so it was never going to be easy. Even if it was a pre-season game, we still treated it like a Premier League game and took it seriously. I’m glad we won.
“We’re doing quite well in training, so the main thing for this week is just to get into that serous mode again.
“It’s been pre-season and we’ve done alright, so the main thing is just to take that into the season. We’re just focused and ready to take it into the next game.”
(Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Fellow Arsenal youngster Alex Iwobi, who scored the equaliser against Manchester City, is delighted with his form and fitness during pre-season.
“The challenge for me is to play as many games as I can, and to try to use the opportunities that I get,” he said.
“Hopefully I can try to get as many goals and assists as I can.
“We have done very well in our games. We just need to use that confidence throughout the season.
“Everyone’s smiling and everyone’s happy. Now we’re just looking forward to the season.
“When Theo made that run I started sprinting for my life. I wanted to get that goal, so when it came across and saw it come to my feet I thought, ‘I have to take my chance and make sure I hit the target’. Luckily for me it went in.”
