Arsenal already have ‘Saka 2.0’ in teenage starlet Cozier-Duberry

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Bukayo Saka may be only be 21 but the Arsenal star has already elevated to a position of stardom at the Emirates Stadium, leaving room for the next academy wonderkid to fill his boots. And there is excitement within the club and the fanbase that Amario Cozier-Duberry is not only primed to follow in his footsteps but provide Arsenal with almost an exact new version of the England international.

Saka graduated from the Hale End academy when he was just 18 and earned a role in Unai Emery’s squad, eventually working his way into the reckoning with a string of sublime performances from the bench.

With guidance from Mikel Arteta and regular game time, he has developed into one of the most talented English talents in the game – as reflected by his form at the World Cup.

But it might be time for Saka to step aside as the golden boy at London Colney and assume his role as a senior member of the squad, even despite his youthful presence. Cozier-Duberry, still only 17, is set to be unleashed after impressing Arteta during the mid-season break.

His first experience of senior action came when he was named as an unused substitute in a Europa League game against Zurich, which Arsenal won 2-1. And while he is yet to make his competitive senior debut, the midfielder featured in both the friendlies against Lyon and AC Milan earlier this month, before making an impressive cameo against Juventus.

The London-born talent joined the club in September 2019 and has shot through the ranks ever since. He made 20 appearances for the Under-18 side last season, scoring four goals and laying on as many assists for his team-mates, and appeared for the Under-23s in December last year for the first time.

Like Saka, he is an agile, left-footed player with the versatility to play across a number of positions. A recent goal for the Gunners’ academy side showed their frightening likeness, as Cozier-Duberry turned on a sixpence, dribbled past two opponents before stroking the ball into the bottom corner.

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In June, he signed his first professional contract with the club to underline his potential and the youngster set his sights on working his way into Arteta’s team. Such a goal no longer looks unrealistic for these Arsenal talents, who have seen Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Ethan Nwaneri make the step up to senior football.

“It’s a great achievement and I’m really grateful for this opportunity,” Amario told Arsenal’s official website. “My ambition is to break into the under-23’s squad more and hopefully get my chance with the first team too.”

Arteta has taken notice too after including Cozier-Duberry in his Dubai training camp and picking him in the squad for their three friendlies in the Middle East. While the Spanish coach did not single him out by name, the impression left by Cozier-Duberry was difficult to ignore.

“I think (the young players) have been absolutely brilliant. The boys they’ve been really helpful,” Arteta said, speaking after their win over AC Milan.

“The under-18s, the 16s and 21s maintained the level and the standards that we need. I think we competed really well against a really, really good side.”

Arteta is not afraid to call up young players if they prove they can cut it. Cozier-Duberry has put himself on the map, and now the ‘new Saka’ must ensure he is ready to take his moment with both hands if handed an opportunity – just like his team-mate did three years ago.

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