Chuba Akpom moved to Sint-Truidense Voetbalvereniging, better known as STVV,from Arsenal this week and it’s a gamble from all sides of the deal.
All loans are a gamble, as Akpom has already found out in his short career, and perhaps it was felt that something completely different was needed to help the 21 year old get to the next stage and have a reasonable chance of an Arsenal career.
The move has received a lot of coverage in Belgium. A player arriving from a Premier League club, even one who hasn’t broken through yet, is met with some excitement.
Friday’s edition of Het Balenag van Limburg has the Arsenal owned player on the front page of their sport section, and inside there’s a double page spread as Akpom explains his reasons for the move.
HBVL use Akpom’s quote “This is my choice, not that of Arsenal” as their headline and the youngster has managed to impress already by insisting he chose STVV after looking into the club: “I already have a good feeling about this transition. For the sake of clarity, I have chosen STVV myself, Arsenal didn’t force this club on me. When I heard of the interest from Sint-Truiden, I did some research.”
The Belgium league splits towards the end of the season, with sides fighting for different objectives. Akpom wants his new club in the top pot going for the title.
HBVL put it to Akpom that despite a series of previous loans, he still hasn’t broken through: “I realise that very well. In a year and a half my contract with Arsenal ends. So I have every interest in doing well here. Arsene Wenger recently told me that he has all the confidence in me and that I am sharp.”
And if it all goes well, Akpom will return and have an Arsenal career, telling HBVL: “I cannot imagine myself playing for another top English club. Manchester United or Chelsea? No. Preferably not.”
