Mikel Arteta has named Arsenal academy prospect Amario Cozier-Duberry in his pre-season tour squad, so here is everything we know about the England Under-19 gem.
The Emirates Stadium natives have taken an experienced 29-man squad to America for the club’s tour this summer. But Arteta has used the trip as a chance to run the rule over Cozier-Duberry. In fact, the 18-year-old is one of just two players from Arsenal’s academy in the US.
Goalkeeper Karl Hein also boarded Arsenal’s plane out of Stanstead on July 16. The 21-year-old has been in and around Arteta’s first-team fold since October 2020 and made his senior bow in November 2022. He started the Gunners’ 3-1 defeat against Brighton in the EFL Cup.
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Cozier-Duberry is now taking his first steps toward a first-team future after catching Arteta’s interest in 2022/23. So, with the winger among Arsenal’s travelling squad, here is everything we know about Cozier-Duberry so far ahead of a potential breakthrough during pre-season…
Who is Amario Cozier-Duberry?
Amario Cozier-Duberry has been a part of Arsenal’s academy since October 2019. He joined the Gunners’ youth ranks as a scholar aged 14 before turning professional in June 2022. The Gunners rewarded the winger for a breakthrough campaign with the Under-18s in 2021/22.
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The 21/22 term further saw Cozier-Duberry move into the Gunners’ U23s before it became an under-21 team. He has since cemented a place in the north Londoners’ reserve side and moved to the fringes of Arteta’s first-team. But his maiden senior outing is still forthcoming.
Cozier-Duberry has delivered a number of impressive performances at the junior level thus far, though. He has established a reputation in the youth game for being an attacking threat along the right-hand channel. While his versatility has proven beneficial in numerous games.
Various England youth head coaches have also sought to take a look at Cozier-Duberry over the years. The attacker enjoyed his Young Lions debut in their U16s in April 2021 under Rob Edwards. While Tom Curtis quickly moved to promote him into their U17s in October 2021.
A maiden U18s outing followed in September 2022 under Neil Ryan, as well. While Simon Rusk gave Cozier-Duberry his U19s debut in March 2023 during a European Championship qualifier. The winger took three games at the level to score his first England Under-19 goal.
Where and when was Amario Cozier-Duberry born?
Amario Cozier-Duberry was born in London on May 29, 2005 – eight days after Arsenal beat Manchester United on penalties in the FA Cup final. He also cites Thierry Henry as one of the players the winger looked up to whilst growing up as a Gunners supporter from a young age.
What position does Amario Cozier-Duberry play?
Primarily, the right-wing position is the role Amario Cozier-Duberry embraces but he can play along the attack and the flank. He has played sporadically throughout his young career as an attacking midfielder or as a wing-back. He has even featured as a centre-forward at times.
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It was actually whilst playing as a centre-forward that Cozier-Duberry scored his first goal for England’s U19s. He has also registered efforts from the left-hand side and in various midfield roles for the Young Lions’ other junior sides. But the right-hand channel is his natural habitat.
How good is Amario Cozier-Duberry?
Arsenal are famed for producing future stars of the game and Amario Cozier-Duberry is one of their hottest talents today. The attacker is undoubtedly one of the most promising talents from Hale End. He also made the fringes of the Gunners’ first-team before his 18th birthday.
Cozier-Duberry has risen through the ranks in north London after impressing Arsenal on trial aged 14. He initially caught the club’s attention when winning a tournament with the Sunday League team, Chettle Court Rangers FC. It led to a 10-week trial at Hale End to seal a switch.
Arsenal informed Cozier-Duberry that the club wanted to sign him to a scholarship after he scored against Colchester United in the Floodlit Cup. While the forward later earned his first professional contract in June 2022 after excelling with the Gunners’ Under-18s in 2021/22.
The end of the 2020/21 term brought a bedding-in period for Cozier-Duberry in their U18s. But he thrived in his first full season at the level in 21/22 with four goals and four assists in 21 games. A first chance to play with their U21s also followed before his full step up in 22/23.
Cozier-Duberry rose to the challenge of representing Arsenal’s Under-21s with seven goals and five assists in 24 games in 22/23. He also offered five goals and three assists across six outings in the FA Youth Cup to help the Gunners’ U18s reach the final at Emirates Stadium.
Amario Cozier-Duberry’s stats at Arsenal
Amario Cozier-Duberry’s stats as an Arsenal player read without any first-team appearances so far in his inexperienced career. But Arteta included the forward on the bench for a senior match for the first time in September 2022. He made their bench six times through 2022/23.
Under-18, Arsenal: 31 appearances, 10 goals, 8 assists
Under-21, Arsenal: 28 appearances, 7 goals, 5 assists
First-team, Arsenal: 0 appearances, 0 goals, 0 assists