‘I don’t feel far away’: 18-year-old youngster thinks he’s getting close to starting for Arsenal now

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Arsenal youngster Brooke Norton-Cuffy is pushing to start for the first team, and believes he might not be far away.

In an interview with Scouted Football, Norton-Cuffy is asked about his chances of playing for Mikel Arteta: “It’s impossible to say how close you are.

“All you have to do is keep performing well, keep improving and carrying on your momentum. But I don’t feel far away from knocking at the door – let’s put it that way.”

It’s an exciting development for Arsenal fans potentially seeing the next player from the academy break into the first team.

A report from The Athletic suggests that Norton-Cuffy is about to sign a new contract with the Gunners as he had less than 12 months remaining on his previous deal.

A separate tweet from David Ornstein suggests that a potential loan move to a Championship side may be on the cards.

Norton-Cuffy aiming for Arsenal first team start

Norton-Cuffy has had a brilliant six months, and with a new contract on the way, a potential first team appearance would be the icing on the cake.

The 18-year-old right-back had an impressive spell on loan at Lincoln City in League One, before joining up with England’s under-19s to win the European Championships.

An opening on the right-hand side has appeared at Arsenal, with Takehiro Tomiyasu not fit at the moment and told by Arteta he won’t be starting as much this season.

Tomiyasu’s back-up Cedric Soares was left on the bench against Crystal Palace, with Arteta preferring to play Ben White slightly out of position on the right-hand side.

Norton-Cuffy as a natural right-back could fill that role, but it would be a big step up considering the highest level he’s played at so far is England’s third tier.

And unfortunately for the youngster, Arsenal don’t enter the Carabao Cup until the third round, which doesn’t start until November.

If Norton-Cuffy does end up going out on loan once to the Championship, just as teammate Charlie Patino has done, then he’s unlikely to make his Arsenal bow unless Arteta gives him a chance in the Premier League.