Report: Clubs across England were raising their eyebrows when 18-year-old decided to leave Arsenal this summer

Add as preferred source on Google

Clubs across England were shocked when midfielder Omari Hutchinson left Arsenal this summer.

That’s according to The Athletic, who believe that the 18-year-old’s move to Chelsea was a real sign of intent from the West London club.

Hutchinson rejected a contract offer from Arsenal in the summer to make the move happen.

This season, he’s been fantastic for Chelsea’s under-21 side, and was involved in all three goals in their Papa John’s Trophy victory over Leyton Orient last night.

Hutchinson’s impressive form will have put him on Graham Potter’s radar, who has given plenty of young players opportunities at Swansea City and Brighton.

He’s got a lot of players ahead of him in the pecking order at Chelsea that could limit those chances.

However, a Football London report in the summer suggested that the arrival of Marquinhos at Arsenal made Hutchinson’s mind up to leave.

The Athletic added to this, suggesting that although Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe’s promotion to the first-team also had some down sides.

Hutchinson believed that their inclusion in Arteta’s side was potentially a hindrance to his own first-team ambitions.

Eyebrows raised when Hutchinson left Arsenal this summer

Hutchinson appeared to have a very bright future at the Emirates before leaving this summer.

He was regularly training with the first-team, and The Sun suggested he was in Arteta’s Europa League plans this season.

Hutchinson never made his senior debut, but was on the bench in the Premier on eight occasions last season.

Arteta has called plenty of young players up for his European squads this season.

However, Hutchinson may have seen what was coming, as Marquinhos has been the only under-21 player to regularly get minutes in Europe.

Arsenal will be hoping they’re not made to regret letting Hutchinson leave in the summer.

Likewise, the 18-year-old will be hoping the same opportunities at Chelsea that he might have been afforded at The Emirates.