Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is arguably the biggest success story out of Hale End in recent years.
The 21-year-old has risen through the Gunners ranks to become an indispensable player for club and country.
Now, it looks as though a similarly versatile attacking talent could be coming through the Arsenal ranks.
Football.london Arsenal correspondent Kaya Kaynak spoke to GiveMeSport about Amario Cozier-Duberry.
He said comparisons could be drawn between the 17-year-old and fellow Hale End graduate Saka.
“He’s a similar player in the sense that he’s left-footed, can drift central, and can play a creative midfield role,” said Kaynak.
“He generally tends to play on the right-wing but he’s very versatile and can play a lot of different positions.
“Much like Saka did when he first broke into the team.
“He started off at left-back, now as a right-winger and who knows, Cozier-Duberry is definitely someone who could do that.”
‘One of the standout players from this season’s scholarship intake’
Cozier-Duberry joined Arsenal’s Hale End setup aged 14 and has progressed through the ranks.
As per the Gunners website, he enjoyed a breakout season for the Under-18s last term.
According to Transfermarkt, Cozier-Duberry has played in every single position except in goal and in defence.
This season, the 17-year-old has been playing for the Under-21s, and he’s already looking above that level.
Cozier-Duberry has three goals and three assists from 16 Premier League 2 appearances, plus two goals and one assist from two EFL Trophy outings.
Meanwhile, his FA Youth Cup tally reads four appearances, five goals and two assists.
Cozier-Duberry also signed his first professional contract in June, and was on the Arsenal bench against Zurich in September.
He has already featured in several first-team training sessions under Mikel Arteta, testament to his quality and development.
At the start of the year, Arsenal youth team expert Jeorge Bird spoke highly of the youngster on his website.
‘A player who has excellent close control and a powerful shot, he is undoubtedly one of the standout players from this season’s scholarship intake,’ he wrote.
‘Cozier-Duberry seems rather similar in style to Omari Hutchinson.’
In other news, “He’s let David Moyes down”: Chris Sutton criticises £71,000-a-week West Ham man
#Arsenal #rising #star #similar #Saka #hes #trained #firstteam #journalist
Justin