Setback for Arsenal as ‘unbeatable’ youngster decides to leave the club

Arsenal have suffered a major blow after talented Amario Cozier-Duberry decided to leave the club, as reported by The Athletic. The youngster’s contract was due to expire in June 2024 and he has opted against signing the club’s new contract offer.

The Athletic adds that the teenager has attracted interest in England and abroad, and clubs could soon be lining up to make their offer to him.

Amario Cozier-Duberry leaves Arsenal

Rise of the young wild one

When Cozier-Duberry went on trials with various clubs as a child, no one wanted to take him on. At the age of eight, he joined Sunday League team Chettle Court Rangers and won a youth tournament with them in London. This brought him to the attention of Arsenal and the club offered him a ten-week trial, which he successfully completed. He later moved to the Hale End Academy in October 2019 and began to impress everyone with his skills.

Former Arsenal player Jack Wilshere, now head coach of Arsenal’s under-18 team, had compared Cozier-Duberry to Bukayo Saka, saying: “He reminds me of Bukayo Saka, plays in the same position as him, needs to improve his decision-making like Bukayo did, but he’s definitely exciting. In some moments he’s unbeatable. If you give him the ball he can make things happen.”

A big loss and a warning signal for Arsenal

Uncertainty about his path to the first team was one of the main reasons behind Cozier-Duberry’s decision. The teenager has yet to make a single appearance for Arsenal’s first team, despite being benched by manager Mikel Arteta on a number of occasions.

The 19-year-old can play as a winger and as an attacking midfielder. Unfortunately, players like Saka, Martinelli and Odegaard have a firm hold on these positions due to their excellent performances. He knows that this makes it difficult for him to get into the starting lineup.

Arsenal have a whole host of talented young players like Cozier-Duberry at their disposal and while it won’t be possible to convince them all to take a place in the starting eleven, the club must ensure they tie down the best to new contracts.

The Gunners are already in danger of losing their teenage star Chido Obi-Martin. A few years ago they were unable to stop Omari Hutchinson from moving to rivals Chelsea. And now Arsenal are at risk of losing another player. The north London club must stop this trend.