Arsenal Facing Hale End Exodus As Hertha Berlin Sign Bradley Ibrahim

Bradley Ibrahim has left the club…

Arsenal teenager Bradley Ibrahim is set to sign for Hertha Berlin in a permanent deal after the two clubs agreed on a package which includes a sell-on clause, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Ibrahim, 19, was a prominent member of last season’s Youth Cup run as Jack Wilshere took his side to the final – only to lose comprehensively at the hands of West Ham United.

Capable of playing as a central defender, the former QPR schoolboy is predominantly a holding midfielder who already looks capable of competing physically in the men’s game.

According to the report, Ibrahim is already in Berlin with his representatives to complete the formalities that will see him exit the club without making a senior appearance.

Ibrahim was on the bench for our Premier League clash against Burnley in November alongside fellow academy stars Reuell Walters and Charles Sagoe Jr.

The midfielder’s permanent move away from the club follows reports this week that clubs are circulating Amario Cozier-Duberry with the winger nearing the end of his deal.

According to The Evening Standard, the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle United and Ajax are eyeing the 19-year-old – though talks remain ongoing about a new deal at the club.

It may have begun as an online debate, but Mikel Arteta’s failure to prove he can provide a pathway to the first team for our academy stars may now become an issue.

While not everyone will be able to make it, demonstrating that they will be given a chance is paramount to keeping them at the cub and, so far, the Spaniard hasn’t shown any willingness to do that.

Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah have developed well under his stewardship over the past four years, but it’s often the first step of introducing academy players to the first team that is the most difficult.

With the club now out of the domestic cups, the opportunity to provide those platforms have likely evaporated for another season.