01 May 2023 , 08:46
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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has previously waxed lyrical over Arsenal talent Miguel Azeez, but things are hardly going to plan for the young Gunner.
The Camden-born midfielder was tipped by many, including Arsenal's former captain, to be one of the shining lights of the new generation of the Gunners academy. Hale-End has produced some real quality in recent years, none more obvious than Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe.
Though Azeez is some way from the heights of that aforementioned duo and his career has reached a new low while on loan at Wigan Athletic. The technically-gifted playmaker put pen to paper on a short loan deal at the DW Stadium at the turn of the year but has failed to make the desired impact.
Having arrived in January, Azeez made two appearances when the Latics were still under the guidance of former Arsenal invincible Kolo Toure but has failed to feature in any capacity since the Ivorian was sacked at the end of that month.
That means Azeez has gone over three months without any first-team football, which is certainly not something the likes of Aubameyang would have predicted back when the midfielder was knocking on the door of the Arsenal first-team at the tail-end of 2020.
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Azeez made quite the impression on the Gabon international, as shown by Aubameyang's comments two-and-a-half years ago in the Arsenal matchday programme.
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Miguel Azeez during pre-season for Arsenal last summer"One player who I think looks really good is Miguel Azeez," the former FA Cup winner explained. "Miguel is going to be a great player in the future.
"He's really calm and mature so I'm sure he's got what you need to be a success and have a big career."
The glowing assessment would certainly suggest that Azeez clearly has the talent to turn the tide on what is currently a flat-lining career, but his dad falling out with current Wigan boss Shaun Maloney is unlikely to help.
Azeez's dad was involved in a heated spat with Maloney in relation to his son's limited game-time as Wigan's relegation fate was sealed following a 1-1 draw away at Reading.
As has been the case for the entirety of Maloney's reign, Azeez was left out of the match-day squad, though his family were in attendance as his brother Femi featured for Reading.
The Arsenal academy graduate's father had gone public with his frustration before kick-off, adding: "Miguel hasn’t really had an easy time there [Wigan]. He started with Kolo Toure and the new manager came in and hasn’t really trusted him, which has been disappointing."
Shaun Maloney was at the heart of the argument over Miguel Azeez's game time (Getty Images)As per the Daily Record, the Wigan boss was approached by Femi and his father over the loan star's game time this season.
It has been claimed that the trio had a huge argument in the centre circle regarding the youngster's lack of opportunities.
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Azeez is expected back at Arsenal come the end of the season, but it remains to be seen whether there is a future for him at the Emirates as Aubameyang predicted or whether he'll have to forge a new path elsewhere.