Player Profile: Miguel Azeez
By Oli Dickson Jefford
An array of Arsenal’s young talents are breaking into the first XI and there could be several more stars coming through their academy in the coming seasons.
One of those is 19-year-old Miguel Azeez, who has impressed since joining Portsmouth on loan at the beginning of the season.
The midfielder may not be a household name yet, but here’s all you need to know about one of the most promising talents emerging from Hale End.
Background
Azeez was born in Camden in September 2002 to a Nigerian father and a Spanish mother, and was only five years old when he joined the academy.
Having shown promise throughout his early years at the club, he signed his first professional contract in September 2019 and made his first-team debut just over a year later.
Azeez came on in the 83rd minute to replace Joe Willock in a Europa League match against Dundalk in December 2020, a match the Gunners won 4-2.
The midfielder was loaned to Portsmouth at the end of August, making his debut a few weeks later in a 2-1 loss to Cambridge and scoring his first goal in an EFL Trophy tie against Crystal Palace U21s in November.
He has also already gained international experience, making his international debut for England U16s in 2018 and playing for every age group up to U20s since.
Azeez made his U20 debut in 2021 and across all age levels he has so far made 29 appearances for his county at junior level, scoring three goals.
He is also not the only footballer in his family, with his older brother Femi currently plying his trade at Reading.
Key attributes
Azeez struggled for game time when he first arrived at Fratton Park last summer, but has since won over Pompey boss Danny Cowley, who has been full of praise for the 19-year-old.
Cowley has been particularly impressed with his technical ability and athleticism in recent months, believing that the youngster is showing all the right signs of someone who could have a hugely successful career at the top of the game.
The Londoner’s focus and drive have also been highlighted, as well as his willingness to learn and listen to feedback.
What next?
Azeez will spend the rest of the season at Portsmouth, before returning to Arsenal in the summer.
Both he and the club coaches will hope he gets further first team opportunities in the next three to four months to increase his experience and give him a greater understanding about life as a pro.
After that, it is difficult to guess exactly what the future holds.
He may be loaned out again next season to help shape him as a player further but Mikel Arteta could also look to bring him to the matchday squad if he continues to impress on the south coast.
Azeez will likely want more opportunities to impress Arteta at the Emirates next season, though whatever happens in the short-term, the teenager’s future long-term looks bright.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
