Arsenal signing Mika Biereth scored 21 goals in as many games as Fulham won the Premier League South pipping Chelsea

ARSENAL might’ve just got themselves the steal of the century.

This week, the Gunners completed the signing of Fulham wonderkid Mika Biereth, 18, after he rejected a pro-contract with the Cottagers.

Mika Biereth, 18, has joined Arsenal from Fulham after starring in the Cottagers academy[/caption]

The forward, who can play anywhere along the front three, was a revelation in the Premier League South last season – leading his club to a second consecutive Under-18 championship.

Fulham blitzed all in front of them, including Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham, to reign supreme at youth level.

And Englishman Biereth was central to their charge – scoring 21 goals in as many games, as well as providing double-figures in assists with 13 to his name.

Not since Thierry Henry have the north Londoners had a forward capable of reaching double-figures in both goals and assists in a league season.

ACADEMY STAR

Biereth was the standout in Fulham’s academy, that has produced the likes of Ryan Sessegnon and Harvey Elliot in recent years.

His meteoric rise saw him top the scoring charts in the Premier League South with 21 strikes.

And although he missed out to Manchester United’s Charlie McNeil for the overall golden boot, with the Red Devils boy wonder netting 24 times, Biereth’s goal contributions combined were more than any other youth player.

Biereth managed 34 goals and assists in a campaign that saw the West Londoners win the league.

Alongside Kieron Bowie and Ollie O’Neill, he struck fear into the opposition with a team that managed a mammoth 79 goals across 25 games.

Standing at 6ft 1in, Biereth is a powerful forward[/caption]

LOVES A LONDON DERBY

In 2021, Biereth managed 10 goals in just five London derbies.

He scored against Arsenal, which must’ve alerted Academy Manager Per Mertesacker.

But he also found the back of the net against Chelsea and most memorably the Gunners’ biggest rivals, Spurs.

In just 68 minutes, Biereth took Tottenham to the sword when he scored a hat-trick.

If he does that in the first team, hero status would be imminent.

However, he failed to score against northern rivals Manchester City in the Premier League National Final, which meant Fulham failed to qualify for the Under-19 UEFA Youth League.

U23 TEAM BECKONS

With promising youngster Nikolaj Moller joining Viktoria Koln on loan next season, and Tyreece John-Jules likely to be following him to gain first team experience elsewhere, Biereth could expect to go straight into Arsenal’s U23’s.

In terms of U18 football, it’s clear Biereth, who stands at 6ft 1in, has outgrown his surroundings.

And now that Folarin Balogun has been promoted to the first team squad, there is room for a new No9 in the youth side.

COMPETITION: SPOT THE BALL TO WIN A CAR AND CASH

But don’t count against Biereth appearing in the EFL Trophy to get a taste of action against lower league sides.

Should he impress, Mikel Arteta won’t shy away from giving him an opportunity either.

After all, he might just be the next Thierry Henry.

Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from The Emirates

After making 34 goal contributions last season in the Premier League South, Biereth is the type of forward Arsenal have lacked since Thierry Henry[/caption]

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk