Arsenal have been dealt a huge blow after the talented Amario Cozier-Duberry has decided to leave the club, as per reports from The Athletic. The youngster’s contract was expiring in June 2024 and he has opted against signing the new deal offered by the club.
The Athletic adds that the teenager has been attracting interest from England and abroad. Clubs might soon start lining up to present their offer to him.
Amario Cozier-Duberry to Quit Arsenal
Rise of the Young Gun
When Cozier-Duberry went on trial to various clubs as a kid none were willing to accept him. At the age of eight, he joined the Sunday League team Chettle Court Rangers and won a youth tournament with them in London. This made Arsenal take note of him and the club offered a ten-week trial which he completed successfully. Later he joined the Hale End Academy in October 2019 and started wowing everyone with his skillset.
Read More: ‘Really Promising’ 22-Year-Old Poised To Commit His Future To Arsenal
Former Arsenal player Jack Wilshere, now the head coach of the Arsenal under-18 team, had likened Cozier-Duberry to Bukayo Saka. He said: “He reminds me of Bukayo Saka, plays in the same position as him, needs to get better with his decision-making like Bukayo did, but he’s definitely exciting. In some moments he’s unplayable. You give him the ball and he can make things happen.”
A Huge Loss and a Warning Sign for Arsenal
Uncertainty regarding his pathway into the first team has been one of the key reasons for Cozier-Duberry’s decision. The teenager hasn’t made a single appearance for the Arsenal senior team, though he was named on the bench quite a fewtimes by manager Mikel Arteta.
The 19-year-old can play as a winger and as an attacking midfielder. Unfortunately for him, players like Saka, Martinelli, and Odegaard have a stronghold over these positions due to their brilliant performances. He knows this makes it tough for him to break into the starting lineup.
Read More: Three Things Arsenal Can Do Next Season To Tackle The Left-Back Conundrum
Arsenal have a horde of talented kids like Cozier-Duberry on their hands. While it might not be possible to convince all of them of a place in the starting lineup the club needs to make sure they tie down the best of the lot to new contracts.
The Gunners are already in danger of losing their teenage sensation Chido Obi-Martin. A few years back they were powerless to stop Omari Hutchinson from joining rivals Chelsea. And now Arsenal are about to lose another one. The North London club needs to put a stop to this trend.
