ARSENAL fans have called for Mikel Arteta to make Under-21s star Amario Cozier-Duberry the “understudy” to Bukayo Saka.
Cozier-Duberry scored and provided an assist for the Gunners against Stoke U21s on Monday – and those watching were stunned by his similar playing style to the Arsenal first-team superstar.
18-year-old Cozier-Duberry set up Ethan Nwaneri’s second-half equaliser from the right wing at the Bet365 Stadium.
And fans were quick to spot a likeness in playing style between him and first team star Saka, who also progressed through the Hale End academy.
One person took to X to write: “Cozier-Duberry is a Saka clone.”
Another said: “CD7 is Saka Jr. Runs like him, moves like him. It’s crazy. Arteta needs to make him an understudy to BS7.”
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A third commented: “Just like Saka’s goal against Bayern.”
While another wrote: “Looking at a Bukayo clone. Brilliant.”
One fan even claimed that both Cozier-Duberry and Nwaneri possess similar qualities to Saka, adding: “You know what, there’s some aspect of Bukayo Saka in both Nwaneri and Duberry. That drop of the shoulder and finish reminisce Saka all day.”
Cozier-Duberry, who has been hailed as “the jewel” of Arsenal’s academy, was fast-tracked into the first team ahead of the club’s Premier League clash with West Ham earlier this year.
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However, he was not named in the squad on the day.
The winger’s current contract expires this summer and club officials are desperately trying to tie him down to a new deal.
Arsenal youth boss Jack Wilshere hopes Cozier-Duberry will continue his development at the Emirates.
Last year, he said: “Amario is very exciting and Mikel like him.
“He reminds me of Bukayo Saka, he plays in the same position as him but he needs to get better with his decision-making.
“He’s definitely exciting, in some moments he’s unplayable. You give him the ball and he can make things happen.
“You can set up a team and have a game plan, but when you’ve got individuals like that you’ve got a chance.”
Meanwhile, Nwaneri became the youngest-ever Premier League player when he made his debut at the age of 15 in 2022.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
