Brooke Norton-Cuffy's impressive performances for Lincoln City are drawing the attention of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, football.london understands. The 18-year-old has made 14 appearances for The Imps following his January loan move from Arsenal, scoring one goal in the process.
Gunners coaching staff, including Arteta and academy chief Per Mertesacker, are impressed at the ease in which Norton-Cuffy has settled into life at the League One side.
football.london understands that a number of Championship clubs have made enquiries over Norton-Cuffy's potential availability ahead of next season, although no concrete decision has been made on his immediate future.
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Arsenal currently have two senior right backs in Takehiro Tomiyasu and Cedric Soares, with the latter's long-term future unclear after being offered to European clubs by his agent during the January transfer window.
Norton-Cuffy, who is expected to sign a new contract with Arsenal in the coming weeks, has impressed for Arsenal's youth set-up and is also an England Under-18 international.
Known for his driving runs and ability to win 1v1 duels, he's drawn praise from Lincoln manager Michael Appleton who believes he has the potential to eventually play in the Premier League.
“We’ve got a right back that we’ve brought in from Arsenal who’s not bad also," said Appleton. “I think there’s going to be a lot of people who are going to be interested in Brooke between now and the end of the season.
“He’s a player that personally – and I don’t like singling out too many people, but I’ll be amazed if he doesn’t play in the Premier League”.
A regular for Arsenal's Under-23 side, Norton-Cuffy recently admitted that he is enjoying life on loan and there is quiet optimism that he could come back and compete for a place in the first team next season.
"I have learnt so much already in two or three weeks - I can feel myself improving every day in a first-team environment and I like the competition for places. When I go back to Arsenal I'm hoping to do so with quite a few League One games under my belt, but right now I'm 100% focused on delivering for Lincoln City."
