Chuba Amechi Akpom

Old Arsenal scouting report:

Style of play, Strengths and Weaknesses
First, let’s establish Akpom’s position. Akpom is a pure striker. Although he could possibly play on the wings, through the middle is his best position. Under Steve Gatting Arsenal usually play a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3. Akpom fits both formations as it gives him more space to run into as the lone striker. He is a shade over 6 feet, but is quick and strong on the ball. In an era where strikers are required to be involved in build-up play, Akpom seems to have an ability and preference for finding pockets of space. Much like a past Arsenal striker, Akpom likes to drift to the wings, especially to the left (I won’t draw comparisons just yet). Like most Arsenal players, he’s very comfortable on the ball and links up well with players around, albeit this is not his typical style.
Akpom can run with the ball at his feet and seems confident and capable of running at defenders. We saw this in Arsenal’s FA Cup win against Brighton- Akpom picked the ball up, beat two players then laid it off to Rosicky. Furthermore, tricks don’t seem too far from his mind. The odd feint and step over are often used to gain space but with the more experienced defenders in the Premier League this may not work so well. I think in Akpom’s case less might be more. He is not a Giroud style player; a player who likes midfielders playing off him and being a wall for midfielders to play off. Akpom’s game is predicated on movement. I’m not saying he should not be involved in the build-up, but rather making runs towards goal and stretching the defence. As proven by his 9 goals in the under 21 league this year, Akpom can finish. Akpom is a goal scorer but maybe needs to be more selfish and have a killer instinct in the box.
Physically, Akpom is an athlete. As mentioned, he has good pace and strength on the ball. Aerially he has a good leap and has many times beaten defenders to crosses because of this. As good a physical specimen as he is, Akpom is also a clever player. He seems to have a natural awareness for angles and space. Although this is still a bit unpolished, there is serious potential there. Although he is a striker he is more than ready to pick a pass and move to find space. This is obviously going to be a key tool if he is to be a success for future Arsenal teams.
If there is an obvious weakness to Akpom’s game it’s his shooting. By shooting, I mean from outside the box. This said, I don’t see this as a huge problem as he won’t be required to do this too much. He seems perfectly capable of finishing moves in or just outside the box.
As with all young strikers, confidence and experience are key. In his recent cameo against Villa, we saw the confidence, but not the experience. The experience will come, it’s keeping the confidence that’s the problem. Most strikers go through dry spells, but it’s stringing together consistent performances that is the key. The goals will come if you put yourself in the right areas. In the Premier League especially, Akpom will sometimes have to use his brain more than his feet.
In sum, Akpom’s main strengths are movement, pace and finishing. In Wenger he has one of the best talent spotters and attacking coaches, always willing to give youth a chance.
 
UKLL1981 said:
Old Arsenal scouting report:

Style of play, Strengths and Weaknesses
First, let’s establish Akpom’s position. Akpom is a pure striker. Although he could possibly play on the wings, through the middle is his best position. Under Steve Gatting Arsenal usually play a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3. Akpom fits both formations as it gives him more space to run into as the lone striker. He is a shade over 6 feet, but is quick and strong on the ball. In an era where strikers are required to be involved in build-up play, Akpom seems to have an ability and preference for finding pockets of space. Much like a past Arsenal striker, Akpom likes to drift to the wings, especially to the left (I won’t draw comparisons just yet). Like most Arsenal players, he’s very comfortable on the ball and links up well with players around, albeit this is not his typical style.
Akpom can run with the ball at his feet and seems confident and capable of running at defenders. We saw this in Arsenal’s FA Cup win against Brighton- Akpom picked the ball up, beat two players then laid it off to Rosicky. Furthermore, tricks don’t seem too far from his mind. The odd feint and step over are often used to gain space but with the more experienced defenders in the Premier League this may not work so well. I think in Akpom’s case less might be more. He is not a Giroud style player; a player who likes midfielders playing off him and being a wall for midfielders to play off. Akpom’s game is predicated on movement. I’m not saying he should not be involved in the build-up, but rather making runs towards goal and stretching the defence. As proven by his 9 goals in the under 21 league this year, Akpom can finish. Akpom is a goal scorer but maybe needs to be more selfish and have a killer instinct in the box.
Physically, Akpom is an athlete. As mentioned, he has good pace and strength on the ball. Aerially he has a good leap and has many times beaten defenders to crosses because of this. As good a physical specimen as he is, Akpom is also a clever player. He seems to have a natural awareness for angles and space. Although this is still a bit unpolished, there is serious potential there. Although he is a striker he is more than ready to pick a pass and move to find space. This is obviously going to be a key tool if he is to be a success for future Arsenal teams.
If there is an obvious weakness to Akpom’s game it’s his shooting. By shooting, I mean from outside the box. This said, I don’t see this as a huge problem as he won’t be required to do this too much. He seems perfectly capable of finishing moves in or just outside the box.
As with all young strikers, confidence and experience are key. In his recent cameo against Villa, we saw the confidence, but not the experience. The experience will come, it’s keeping the confidence that’s the problem. Most strikers go through dry spells, but it’s stringing together consistent performances that is the key. The goals will come if you put yourself in the right areas. In the Premier League especially, Akpom will sometimes have to use his brain more than his feet.
In sum, Akpom’s main strengths are movement, pace and finishing. In Wenger he has one of the best talent spotters and attacking coaches, always willing to give youth a chance.
Click to expand...

Class, where did you find this?
 
I hope £3m is an exaggeration of the few - his goalscoring rate is not too good
People slate Britt but this fellow is 1 in 5 on the stats quoted above!
 
Last night while listening to the commentary, Dreary said "and there's the Chief Executive off to take a phone call".
Wonder if that was notice that the deal was done, or their lass wanting to know if he wanted salad or carrots and peas with his parmo.
 
I’m really not impressed, how much did they pay for him? How come other clubs he was loaned to weren’t interested?
 
Someone is messing with his Wiki page he was listed as a Boro player a few minutes ago and it now says AC Milan o_O He did well at various age levels to U/21 level with England, but in club football his stats are poor. In Neil we trust.
 
I'm not fussed as I don't know anything about him. I think the fee seems high for a club with no money. It seems very much eggs in one basket🤔

I imagine it's almost definitely true as it would tie in with him playing last night. That said a club agreeing a 3mil move then playing him the night before is slightly bizarre.

I don't overly look at scoring records. I am guessing he's tall? Warnocks Cardiff side hardly scored any (think top scorer had 9). It's more 'can he fill a role' and maybe score 10-12. I still genuinely think the bigger issue is the lack of goals from Tav / Saville / Howson etc. Also a CB who can get 4-5 would be nice.

I think Britt and Fletcher will score enough. Its every fecker else who couldn't hit a barn door for the last 3 years.

He also wanted a young academy forward. Hopefully pacy or tricky as we miss both.
 
Im not bothered about the fee - its not my money and there are plenty of players about who are free to fill in the rest of the gaps in the squad
 
"In Wenger he has one of the best talent spotters and attacking coaches, always willing to give youth a chance."

Hoyte? Aliadiere? Third times a charm?
😉😉😁😁
 
All my mates are Greek and are PAOK fans and say we have got a steal.

They go on (all of them) and say (in Greek but I’ve translated) -
‘yes his strike rate isn’t as good as Britt’s but, his could well improve, much like Britt’s has gone backwards‘
Further, they all say,
‘You never really can tell when you buy someone whether they will work out Or not but it is generally best to give them a chance’

It’s all Greek to me mind
 
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