Can Brooke Norton-Cuffy break into the first team next year?

Brooke Norton-Cruffy

Can Brooke Norton-Cuffy break into the first team next year?

By Tum Balogun

The end of the league campaign means one thing. Transfer season. 


Much attention has already turned to the rumour mill of comings and goings at Arsenal but, what about the youngsters who could force their way into Mikel Arteta’s plans?


The promising full-back Brooke Norton-Cuffy is chief among them. 


He is the latest in the seemingly endless conveyor belt of exciting ‘double barrelled’ English right-backs - see Alexander-Arnold, Walker-Peters and Wan-Bissaka. 


Norton-Cuffy made his senior debut on loan at Lincoln City in January this year after signing his first professional contract with Arsenal in 2021. 


The 18-year-old joined the League One side in the winter transfer window to gain more first team experience and made 17 appearances, scoring one goal. 


That strike came at home in a 3-1 victory against promotion hopefuls Sheffield Wednesday and showcased his modern skillset. 


In his usual advanced position on the edge of the Wednesday penalty area, he swept home a cut back from his teammate overlapping on the byline. 


Norton-Cuffy’s style of play is from the same school as the country’s best talent in his position. Quick. Direct. And with an eye for goal. 


Those attributes are likely to be of interest to Arteta who deployed summer arrival Takehiro Tomiyasu in that position for most of the last campaign. 


The Japanese international made a good start to life in London, making 21 appearances in all competitions, though - as with several Gunners - he suffered with injuries throughout. 


Arsenal’s scholar of the year looks best placed to deputise in the short term and gain first team minutes in cup competitions.

 

He could even challenge Tomiyasu for a starting spot in the not-too-distant future.

 

For now, Norton-Cuffy will return to London Colney for pre-season training, where he will look to impress the Arsenal boss. 


His performances last term have at the least put him in a position to get more first team action next season, whether that's with the Gunners or on another loan. 


Photo credit: Getty Images 


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