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Arsenal's Chuba Akpom
Arsenal's Chuba Akpom scores his third goal against a Singapore Select XI in the premier League Asian Trophy. Photograph: David Price/Getty Images
Arsenal's Chuba Akpom scores his third goal against a Singapore Select XI in the premier League Asian Trophy. Photograph: David Price/Getty Images

Arsenal’s Chuba Akpom impresses Arsène Wenger with Singapore hat-trick

This article is more than 8 years old
Premier League Asian Trophy: Arsenal 4-0 Singapore Select XI

The Arsenal academy striker Chuba Akpom made a good case for having more playing time next season by scoring a hat-trick during his side’s 4-0 win over a Singapore Select XI in the Premier League Asian Trophy on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old striker, who signed a long-term contract in February, has made only four substitute appearances in the Premier League for Arsenal and has been loaned to Brentford, Coventry City and Nottingham Forest in recent years for experience.

With Danny Welbeck not making the trip to Asia because of injury and Olivier Giroud, like most of the major players, given the night off by Arsène Wenger, Akpom had the chance to make the most of a rare opportunity to start.

After a nervy opening, he scored the first goal at Singapore’s National Stadium on the half hour mark after defender Baihakki Khaizan blocked Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere but could not clear adequately.

Wilshere then added a second from the penalty spot in the 60th minute after Mathieu Debuchy had been brought down in the area.

The England midfielder was subsequently taken off and Akpom also given the chance to show his penalty prowess after substitute Jon Toral was hauled down by Singapore goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud in the 76th minute. Akpom confidently sent Izwan the wrong way and then completed his hat-trick three minutes later after nodding home a cross from the right by Héctor Bellerín.

The striker, who joined the club aged six and was playing under-18s football at 15, could have scored a fourth at the death but for a strong save by Izwan. Wenger, who also offered time on the pitch to promising academy talents Alex Iwobi, Gedion Zelalem, Dan Crowley and Chris Willock, gave Akpom hope of more first-team chances.

“I sent him out on loan last year, because I thought he needed that, and this season no, I plan to keep him with us,” Wenger said. “It’s down to performance and attitude. Let’s not forget it’s a friendly, he is talented but he has to work.”

Arsenal are through to Saturday’s final where they will face Everton, who earlier beat Stoke City 5-4 on penalties after a goalless draw.

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