By Sam Stone

21st Jul, 2022 | 2:30pm

Arsenal youngster Ryan Alebiosu joins Kilmarnock on loan

Arsenal youngster Ryan Alebiosu has joined Kilmarnock on a season-long loan deal after spending the second half of the 2021/22 season with League One side Crewe Alexandra.

The right-back has yet to feature for Arsenal after being a regular in the Gunners’ youth system but has now been confirmed by Killy where he will play under manager Derek McInnes.

Alebiosu has also featured 29 times for Arsenal’s under-23 side, scoring once and providing five assists.

Important loan

This is a crucial loan deal for the defender, with the 20-year-old at a stage in his career where he needs to show he can perform at a high level and potentially break into first-team proceedings at The Emirates.

He will need to be a success at Kilmarnock if he harbours any hopes of making it at Arsenal.

Failure to make an impression in Scotland will display that the full-back isn’t cut out for a high level of first-team football.

One positive is that he is out playing games rather than remaining in the under-23 system at The Emirates.

Too often younger players aren’t given senior chances and are lost in and amongst the youth systems at the top clubs.

Irrespective of how technically brilliant a player is, it is crucial that they’re experiencing the physicality and competitiveness of men’s football regularly.

The youngster really needs to be a hit for the Scottish side, then potentially engineer himself a move to a League One or Championship side in England to continue his progression.

A second tier loan in England would be the ideal move for Alebiosu next, with the division an excellent environment for younger players to prepare for the Premier League jump.

In other Arsenal news, Omari Hutchinson has left the club to join Chelsea.