Mikel Arteta could hand an emerging Arsenal youngster a chance to impress against West Ham (Picture: Getty)
Mikel Arteta has promoted Amario Cozier-Duberry to Arsenal’s first team squad ahead of Sunday’s Premier League showdown against West Ham.
The Gunners got their title charge back on track with a rousing 3-1 win over Liverpool last weekend and will be looking to build on that momentum.
Their London rivals have proved obdurate opponents in recent times, however, and have already beaten Arsenal twice this season.
On their most recent visit to the London Stadium Arteta’s side were humbled 3-1 in the Carabao Cup, while in last season’s corresponding fixture they blew a two-goal lead.
The experience of the likes of Jorginho, man of the match against Liverpool, will be vital against West Ham, but Arteta could also give a chance to novice Amario Cozier-Duberry, according to The Sun.
Arsenal attacking options are somewhat limited at present, especially with doubts surrounding the fitness of Gabriel Jesus.
Cozier-Duberry has been in superb form for Arsenal’s youth team this season with his performances earning him comparisons to Bukayo Saka.
Amario Cozier-Duberry has made a big impression at youth level for Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
Former Arsenal star and Cozier-Duberry’s current coach Jack Wilshere said of the teenager last year: ‘Amario is very exciting and Mikel like him.
‘He reminds me of Bukayo Saka, he plays in the same position as him but he needs to get better with his decision-making.
‘He’s definitely exciting, in some moments he’s unplayable. You give him the ball and he can make things happen.
‘You can set up a team and have a game plan, but when you’ve got individuals like that you’ve got a chance.’
Despite a steady stream of young talent coming through the ranks, Arteta has only given limited opportunities to Arsenal’s teenage talent over the last few years.
Amario Cozier-Duberry has earned comparisons with Bukayo Saka (Picture: Getty)
Arteta has called up the likes of Lino Sousa and Ruell Walters to the first team squad recently, while last season Ethan Nwaneri became the youngest player in Premier League history.
By and large, however, Arteta has stuck by a core group of senior players during the last 18 months, in contrast to the likes of Jurgen Klopp who, in particular, has promoted the likes of Jarell Quansah and Conor Bradley.
‘We certainly want to do that,’ said Arteta ahead of last week’s game against Liverpool when asked if he wanted to see more of Arsenal’s youngsters thrive in the Premier League.
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‘First of all we need to produce those talents and they have to earn it and secondly they have to be in the positions that we need fulfilling.
‘Everything has to come together and we are working on that. We have a few prospects which are not far away, but the reality is we want more.
‘Today, to give the opportunities to play in the first team at the level required, we are a bit short.’
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