When Brooke Norton-Cuffy joined Lincoln City on loan in January there was an element of surprise given that the defender had only recently turned 18.
However, Norton-Cuffy has adapted seamlessly to senior football, with the right-back having produced some excellent performances in League One.
Yesterday the youngster scored his first senior goal as Lincoln beat Sheffield Wednesday and his quick progress is excellent news for Arsenal.
The right-back relishes pushing forward and is a fine crosser of the ball having previously been a winger.
Norton-Cuffy is also a diligent defender and reads the game well, while he is strong physically but there are some occasions when he squanders possession needlessly.
Overall, though, he is developing very well and is actually perhaps ahead of schedule.
Norton-Cuffy will hope for a strong finish to the season, with Lincoln attempting to avoid relegation to League Two.
It will be intriguing to see what will happen with Norton-Cuffy thereafter. The likelihood is that the England youth international will be assessed by Arsenal in the summer and could feature in pre-season friendlies.
Another loan spell, perhaps to a Championship club, could follow, but if he impresses sufficiently then there is a chance that Norton-Cuffy may remain with Arsenal next season and be on the fringes of the first-team.
Norton-Cuffy is also capable of playing as a centre-back in a three-man defence, but it is at right-back where he is most effective and he will be looking to continue his impressive progress.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
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