The Arsenal academy coaching staff will soon start to make decisions over which youngsters at the club will be offered professional contracts ahead of next season.
There are always some difficult choices to make and one of those will focus on Bless Akolbire, with the 17-year-old still yet to fully establish himself in the Arsenal U18 side.
A player who was very highly rated as a schoolboy, Arsenal awarded Akolbire a scholarship early in his development.
However, an injury subsequently halted his progress and continued to affect him into last season.
When he is at his best, Akolbire’s ability is undeniable – he has excellent close control, is an impressive passer and is also capable of finding the net himself.
However, the Hale End product is still searching for consistency and it appears that he has yet to convince Jack Wilshere that he deserves a regular place in the team.
Along with Will Sweet, Akolbire was substituted after just 32 minutes against Southampton recently after Arsenal conceded three goals early in the game.
The youngster will hope that he will be afforded an opportunity to bounce back and show that he still deserves an extended stay at the club.
