Arsenal youth academy product to sign contract extension

You know how it works around these parts and Arsenal Twitter. Rumors aren't really official until David Ornstein has a say in the matter. Well, the Oracle has spoken in regards to Arsenal forward, and Academy product, Chuba Akpom and his tenuous contract situation:

Akpom will sign new #AFC contract in next couple of hours - 4.5yr deal to summer 2019. Was strong interest in 19yo striker from PL & abroad

— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) February 3, 2015

Arsene Wenger's clearly noticed something in Akpom's game lately to warrant sending Lukas Podolski, Yaya Sanogo, and Joel Campbell on loan in the past few weeks. He's featured as a sub in the past two competitive matches, showing off pace and a fearless attitude with the ball at his feet. He's unafraid to make runs to put himself into position, which players like Mesut Ozil clearly enjoy playing behind. But his tendency to not recognize when his teammates are running into space while in possession of the ball is something he'll need to improve on.

All-in-all, this is a great deal for many reasons and yet another success story for the Academy. How Arsene manages his glut of young forwards past the end of this current season - who stays, and who departs - remains to be seen.