Nigerian Wonderkid, Akpom Impresses At Arsenal

Nigeria and Arsenal wonderkid Chuba Akpom gave Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger food for thought after smashing a hat-trick in Monday night’s 6-1 drubbing of Peterborough in the Fourth Round of the FA Youth Cup.
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Following the news Theo Walcott will miss the rest of the season with a cruciate ligament injury, 18-year- old Akpom gave Gunners fans reason to cheer at London Road as he looks capable of taking over from the injured England international.
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The Nigerian born striker who has made a handful of appearances for the Arsenal first team most notably. in the 2013 pre-season tour of far East Asia guided the young guns through to the next stage of the competition with some expert finishing.
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After dominating the opening exchanges, Arsenal took the lead just before the half-hour mark through Maitland-Niles, who latched on to Crowley’s perfect through ball and slotted home for the opener.
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Akpom grabbed his first and the Gunners’ second of the evening eight minutes before the break when he met Crowley’s cross to head past goalkeeper Luke O’Reilly.
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Arsenal continued where they left off after the interval when the Nigerian who was released by Crowley rounded O’Reilly before placing the ball into an empty net.
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The No 9, playing as a lone striker completed his hat- trick just after hour mark, coolly slotting the ball home after being found in space by Crowley inside the area.
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Crowley made it 5-0 in the 67th minute with a sweetly struck effort from 18 yards out, while Akpom played provider to the winger five minutes later to heap further misery on the hosts.
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Peterborough pulled one back in injury-time through Robert Duggan but it failed to spoil the party for Arsenal, who remain on course to claim their eighth FA Youth Cup.