Former Arsenal youngster Miguel Azeez recently left the club on a permanent basis, after failing to make the grade despite breaking out as a promising talent.
The midfielder made his senior debut under Mikel Arteta, as a substitute in a Europa League game against Dundalk FC in 2020.
He was highly rated within the club, but nearly four years on, he has now joined Spanish third-tier side Atletico Baleares, in what would have been a hugely surprising career trajectory when he first broke through.
It has now emerged that there is a feeling within the player’s camp that Arsenal could have handled his situation better following several failed loan spells.
Arsenal told they could have handled Miguel Azeez better
Journalist and Arsenal academy expert Jeorge Bird has now revealed that Azeez turned down a contract extension last year, before he eventually departed on a permanent transfer in January ahead of its expiration.
“There is a feeling that Arsenal could have handled Azeez’s development better and that he could have thrived if he had been given an opportunity in the first-team,” he reported.
“He had been offered a contract extension by Arsenal last year but turned it down as he didn’t feel he would receive sufficient opportunities.”
“(Per) Mertesacker said he would not help Azeez find another club due to him having not extended his contract by another year.
“Azeez went into Arsenal’s London Colney training ground before the transfer window shut and put all his possessions in one big black bag as he left the club feeling totally dejected.”
Where did Arsenal go wrong with Miguel Azeez?
A problem for Arsenal’s youngsters is that unless they are on Bukayo Saka’s level, breaking into this current side is a hugely difficult task.
Azeez’s failed loans saw him end up at Portsmouth, a move which he had reservations about but went on anyway, and at Wigan under Invincible Kolo Toure for a short period.
His constant moving between unsuccessful loans, despite his talent, stunted his development and prevented him from becoming a midfielder ready for Arsenal first-team action.
Whilst his failures at Arsenal will have been gutting for him, at 21 he still has time to rebuild his career should he find consistent form in Spain.
The likes of Charlie Patino and Emile Smith Rowe face uncertain futures, and the unfortunate reality is that a lot of Hale End stars could end up departing due to a lack of game time.
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