'Insane': Some Arsenal fans blown away by their 20-year-old's Friday display, he's the 'Coquelin regen'

[Giuseppe Labellarte]

Arsenal midfielder Tim Akinola won praise from Gunners fans for his impressive Under-23s display on Friday evening.

The 20-year-old has started the last four Premier League 2 games for Kevin Betsy’s side and is going from strength to strength.

Akinola started for Arsenal in their 3-0 win over Brighton’s U23s at the Emirates Stadium, playing 70 minutes.

Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

The Gunners goals came in the form of a Folarin Balogun brace and an effort from Salah Oulad M’Hand.

According to football.london, Akinola displayed “some really nice moments” in the game.

“Looks physically ready to make the step up. Pressed well and had the pace to ease away from markers when on the ball.”

And plenty of Gunners fans loved what they saw:​

That skill from Akinola

— Chris (@Chris_AFCFan) October 1, 2021

Akinola is insane , double roulette wtff

— AH (@afc_ah2) October 1, 2021

Ahh! Well they’re looking great today! Akinola looks solid, same with balogun per usual

— grant (@AFC_grant) October 1, 2021

Akinola

#arsenalu23

— grant (@AFC_grant) October 1, 2021

George what about akinola..he look like physically devekoled and..20 years old now..impressed with his work rate and defensive abilities..do you think he deserve to get promoted or still not rdy yet?

— Thirukkumaran (@Thiru28701) October 1, 2021

They were very impressive aswell. I’m a big fan of Akinola. Think he could be very good and Salah has really done well this season

— Adam (@AFC_Adam7) October 1, 2021

That it's a real pity Salah-Eddine lost a season through injury. He been very good this season.

So good & strong in possession, I'm sure he'd be knocking on the 1st team door or on loan bar that.

Lopez & Akinola also look like different players. Flo too good for the U-23's.

— Richie AFC (@blazing_cannons) October 1, 2021

Akinola joined the Gunners last year after his release from Huddersfield and has made 30 appearances for the Gunners’ U23s.

Some Arsenal fans have said he reminds them of Francis Coquelin:​

Coquelin regen

— Marvin

(@marvinxfunkyman) August 19, 2020

Great news for Akinola. The coaching staff must be impressed by his physicality and defensive skills. Arteta sees that when Partey's out, the 1st team needs a ball winning midfielder. Akinola's raw physicality and tenacity reminds me of Coquelin. Exciting times https://t.co/w9zFZnuMLF

— Hale End Productions (@Balogunner14) September 7, 2021

This Tim Akinola plays like Coquelin.

— Michael just_vibez (@Championblizz) August 19, 2020

The spirit of Coquelin lives on Tim Akinola - Huddersfield Town AFC 2019/20

— Luke (@ekulkun) August 17, 2020

Nah Akinola is a Coquelin regen with tech

— Senzu, Fifth Emperor of The South (@SolaceExcursion) November 27, 2020

Akinola began his youth career at the age of 16 with League Two side Mansfield Town.

He then moved to Lincoln City ahead of the 2018-19 season.

Whilst with the Imps, Akinola played in the FA Youth Cup against West Brom.

He also had a loan spell at Lincoln United in the eighth tier of English football.

Akinola then joined Huddersfield last season after their relegation from the Premier League before joining Arsenal.

The post 'Insane': Some Arsenal fans blown away by their 20-year-old's Friday display, he's the 'Coquelin regen' appeared first on The Boot Room.

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