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Arsenal lose Bukayo Saka understudy as Mikel Arteta faces more questions

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Arsenal lose Bukayo Saka understudy as Mikel Arteta faces more questions

The Arsenal youth development pathway has come in for more criticism once again following the news that Amario Cozier-Duberry is set to leave the club when his deal expires in the summer. football.london understands that despite hoping to keep the attacker and offering a new deal, the 19-year-old has opted instead to look elsewhere for more guarantees over his senior playing time.

Few can begrudge this decision. Despite the hype and appreciation, Cozier-Duberry has been unceremoniously snubbed by Mikel Arteta on numerous occasions when the opportunity to hand him a senior debut emerged.




It was Charles Sagoe Jr who was given the start against Brentford in the Carabao Cup last season as Cozier-Duberry sat on the bench. This has happened on six occasions in 2022/23 and twice this season.

There are arguments that with minutes and two goals up against Sevilla with 10 minutes to go, he could have come on instead of Reiss Nelson or Fabio Vieira in the Champions League. He and Reuell Walters are expected to join the 22 players who the club announced would be leaving at the expiration of their deals.

Walters, another player very appreciated by fans and the club, also chose against extending his deal having not made a competitive senior appearance. Karl Hein, meanwhile, who was on the preliminary list but remained in discussions over an extension is expected to renew before the likelihood of a loan move next season football.london has been told.

Hein is one of seven players to be given debuts by Mikel Arteta from the academy line. The aforementioned Sagoe Jr – the only debutant from the previous campaign – joined Ethan Nwaneri, Folarin Balogun, Ben Cottrell, Miguel Azeez and Charlie Patino.

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