Arsenal academy graduate Zach Awe is set to leave the club upon the expiration of his contract – he announced his departure with a post on his official Instagram page.
Awe has been a part of the Arsenal setup for over 10 years, having joined the club all the way back in 2012 as an 8-year-old. While he never made a senior team appearance for the Gunners, he was featured on the first-team bench on a number of occasions.
On his Instagram post, Awe wrote: “My time at Arsenal has come to an end. I would like to thank the players and staff that have supported me throughout my journey at Arsenal.
“During my 10 years at the club I have learnt so much about myself as a player and a person. However, I feel that it is my time to move on and I am excited about the journey ahead.”
Zack Awe’s Instagram post
Wishing Awe well in the comments was Charlie Patino, who has also left Arsenal over the course of the summer window on a free transfer.
May Arsenal have benefitted from holding on to Awe?
As Awe’s time at Arsenal drew on, it became increasingly unlikely that he would ever gain a foothold in the first team. While evidently a talented player, he never quite looked up to the quality that would have been needed from him had he become a first-team regular.
Nevertheless, Awe’s departure opens up a plethora of opportunities for the young man. Aged just 19, he still has his entire professional career as a footballer ahead of him.
While he has yet to make a senior team appearance at any level of English football, clubs will nonetheless be lining up to take a punt on him.
A technically gifted defensive midfielder, Awe is excellent at spraying balls around the field and picking out his teammates from deep positions.
It is unclear as to where Awe’s next destination will be – with so many avenues open to him, he will be an excellent asset to whoever snaps him up.
