European champions for the England under-19s, Brooke Norton-Cuffy is becoming one of the most talked-about players in the Arsenal youth set-up. Having returned from his loan spell with Lincoln City a player who stood out amongst those around him, potential questions of top-level opportunity are surfacing.
Arsenal do lack a right-back with his qualities, with Takehiro Tomiyasu being a more disciplined and defensive full-back, whereas Cedric Soares is an attack-minded player whose abilities in his own third are criticised. Brooke Norton-Cuffy is a player with an eye to shining in both his defensive third and the opposition’s.
Speaking on the Beautiful Game Podcast it became very quick to see who he looked up to in the current Premier League offering. A player Arsenal could very much do with for the upcoming season.
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“I don’t think there’s any one player I’d say, ‘I play exactly like him’. I think I take aspects from a lot of players like Reece James. Physically, he kind of reminds me, because he’s a beast," he said.
“Obviously he gets his stats, he gets goals he gets assists. The way he crosses the ball, the way he strikes a ball. As an all-round right back he’s just top.
“Obviously Trent [Alexander-Arnold], when you look at Trent, technically as a right-back he’s just different level. The way he crosses, the way he clips a ball. Then defensively, sometimes I look at players and I think, as a full-back nowadays, I think sometimes the defensive side is a bit neglected.”
It is interesting that his point about Alexander-Arnold was followed so quickly about the summary of criticism some full-backs face regarding the defensive aspect of their game. The Liverpool player’s defensive side has been the focus of some critique during his time at the top level.
Norton-Cuffy speaks more about relishing one-on-ones, and not wanting to be beaten, whilst highlighting an obsession with getting ‘stats’ in the form of goals and assists. The confidence running through the 18-year-old is impressive.
The England youngster is due to return to Arsenal this summer and it is not assured what will happen. Whether he goes on a full-season loan at a higher level to further his skills or if he remains with the squad and fights for his place is unknown.
Arsenal will have the Europa League group stages, Carabao Cup and FA Cup where realistically Norton-Cuffy could play. Tomiyasu and Cedric have both had injury issues during their time with the club and having the depth in the form of the youngster would be valuable.
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