'Mikel was such a leader' - Hale End product Akpom hails former teammate Arteta

Ahead of returning to the scene where he made his professional debut, Hale End Academy product Chuba Akpom has hailed his former teammate at Arsenal, Mikel Arteta. 

Akpom and his Middlesbrough teammates travel to the Stadium of Light on Sunday to take on Sunderland in a Championship match, with the Super Eagles hopeful in contention to make his 23rd appearance of the season in all competitions. 

The striker recorded twelve senior appearances before leaving Arsenal and played with Arteta for the first time in a League Cup fixture against West Brom in September 2013.

Akpom was promoted to Arsenal's first team whilst still a teenager and often rubbed shoulders with the senior players including Arteta during training sessions. 

The 27-year-old says he is not surprised that the Spaniard has become a successful coach having exhibited leadership qualities as a player. 

"Mikel was such a leader. He didn’t need to shout on the pitch, it was off the field where he really led," Akpom said to The Sun.

"He was always making sure everyone was doing things properly.

"It’s no surprise to see him so successful as a manager because you could see he had those qualities as a player. Because I’m an Arsenal fan, it makes it even better."

Akpom is the leading scorer in the Championship with thirteen goals from twenty matches - his best return in a single season. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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