Arsenal's Nigerian-born midfielder has similarities to Chelsea star, says Chesterfield coach

Chesterfield assistant manager Danny Webb reckons that Tim Akinola has some similarities to Chelsea star N'Golo Kante.

The Nigerian-born midfielder embarked on his second loan spell away from the Gunners on deadline day, joining National League club Chesterfield for the remainder of the season.

Akinola played his first senior game in English football last weekend as Chesterfield defeated Oldham Athletic and gave a good account of himself in twenty-five minutes of action.

The 21-year-old is a defensive midfielder by trade just like 2018 World Cup winner Kante.

In a previous interview with allnigeriasoccer.com, Akinola admitted that he gets compared to Kante and other fine defensive midfielders.

Speaking to Derbyshire Times earlier this week, Webb highlighted the qualities that Akinola will bring to Chesterfield.

"He is fit, he breaks things up and I think he is going to be a great addition. He is athletic, I think he is maybe a bit of a throwback to midfielders...people talk about (N’Golo) Kante at Chelsea and what a career he has had through breaking play up," Webb told the English newspaper.

"What is good with Tim is that he doesn’t break it up and give it away. He makes sensible decisions and when you are thrown into a bit of a corner, like coming on against Oldham with not many minutes left and you are 2-0 up, it is important that you don’t do your own thing and I think he, Jez (Uchegbulam) and Michael (Gyasi) helped maintain a steadiness to the performance."

Akinola spent the second half of last season at Scottish Premiership side Dundee United but played only one game for the club as his loan spell was cut short after suffering a serious ankle injury in training.

Despite being on the sidelines in the summer, Arsenal triggered an option to extend his contract until June 30, 2024.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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