In a recent interview, Arsenal centre-forward and former Accrington Stanley loanee Nathan Butler-Oyedeji has admitted he is open to a return to League One.
The 20-year-old spent the second half of last season out on loan at the Crown Ground but the team were unfortunately relegated down to League Two and Butler-Oyedeji failed to find the net in eleven appearances.
Nonetheless, the Gunners’ academy star predominantly played as more of a playmaker behind the striker during his time with the ‘Owd Reds as opposed to his natural number ‘9’ position.
Butler-Oyedeji looks set for another loan move this season, according to Football Insider, who are claiming that the attacker has options in England, Belgium, Germany and Denmark.
Butler-Oyedeji’s comments
On a recent episode of The Beautiful Game Podcast, Butler-Oyedeji admitted that another loan spell looks to be on the cards when asked about the upcoming campaign which kicks off in just a few days [via The Daily Cannon]:
“Possibly another loan, a season-long loan. To really establish [myself], getting first-team football, prove myself and go from there, really.”
The youngster continued on, stating that he is open to a variety of different pathways including a return to League One, a drop down to League Two or potentially a loan move abroad:
“I don’t really mind [where his next move will be], League One, League Two, I’m open to abroad as well.
“We’ve spoken to the club [Arsenal], but I still need to speak to them to iron another few things out.”
Writer’s View
Nathan Butler-Oyedeji had spent the first half of the 2022/23 season with the London club’s U21 side and was doing reasonably well but a first loan move was essential for his development.
While his spell to Accrington Stanley may not have gone as well as he’d hoped, the experience will have been invaluable and so it’d be a great idea for the forward to go back down the divisions once more.
However, the prospect of moving to Germany, Belgium or Denmark for a year could be a wonderful opportunity for Butler-Oyedeji given the astounding track record of youth player development in those countries.
