Miguel Azeez may be big winner from Arsenal’s deadline day

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Arsenal proved to be one of the busier sides on the final day of the January transfer window, with a number of players leaving on loan ahead of the deadline.

The two standout names are surely Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Joe Willock, who have joined West Brom and Newcastle respectively.

They could be good moves for two players who struggled to feature in Mikel Arteta’s plans. It is certainly more than likely that they will play a lot more than they have in the first-half of the campaign.

The moves may be deemed a gamble by some however. While neither played regularly, they were often in Arteta’s match day squads. And of course, Arsenal have the Europa League knockout stages ahead.

So their departures may present an opportunity to someone else. And that is why Miguel Azeez may just be the big winner from Arsenal’s deadline day.

Azeez made his first-team debut in the Europa League earlier this season. He had previously been on the bench on a couple of occasions.

The 18-year-old is regularly standing out while playing for the under-23s. In truth, it appears that he has every chance of becoming a key member of the squad in the future.

Arteta will be wary of rushing his development. And it must be noted that Arsenal still boast plenty of midfield depth without Maitland-Niles and Willock.

But Azeez now has a fantastic opportunity. It has arguably become imperative that Maitland-Niles and Willock prove a point while away if their long-term future is going to lie at the Emirates.

Azeez has now moved two places higher in the pecking order. And given that he already seemed to be knocking on the door, perhaps it is fair to say that the coming months could be looked back upon as a pivotal moment in the youngster’s career.