Arteta keeps faith with Arsenal plan as latest youngster offered long-term deal

Mikel Arteta 's youthful revolution at Arsenal looks set to continue after academy star Brooke Norton-Cuffy was reportedly offered a new contract.

The Gunners boss has not been shy in putting his faith into the club's young players since taking over in December 2019, with Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe the two outstanding homegrown stars to have penned long-term deals during his tenure.

As pillars of Arteta's team, Norton-Cuffy is hoping to emulate Saka and Smith Rowe in the years to come, having joined Lincoln City on loan until the end of the season in the January transfer window.

Since the move, the England youth international has made 11 appearances in League One and established himself as a regular in Michael Appleton 's side.

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The Athletic report that London-born right-back has been handed the offer of a new contract after attracting interest from Premier League rivals and clubs in major European divisions.

Norton-Cuffy signed his first professional deal with Arsenal last year, having impressed at academy level in a position which the Gunners' first-team have struggled to find a permanent solution for and are keen to bolster.

With the long-serving Hector Bellerin enjoying a loan spell with Real Betis this term, summer signing Takehiro Tomiyasu has predominantly played at right-back, although Cedric Soares has recently filled in after the Japan international picked up an injury.

And now Norton-Cuffy is viewed as a potential back-up option for the 2022-23 campaign, in what would be another show of trust from Arteta to a youngster.

The 18-year-old was controversially sent off during Lincoln's 2-0 win against AFC Wimbledon on Saturday for an off-the-ball altercation, but the Imps have appealed to have the red card decision - which would see their loanee banned for three games - overturned.

"The appeal's gone in, I'm hoping we hear something by the end of today, to hopefully have him available for tomorrow," manager Appleton confirmed on Monday.

"From what I've seen, I am very confident that a sensible decision will be taken because clearly a sensible decision wasn't taken [by the referee].

"The disappointing thing is that the referee was right there and he's come to that decision If anything, the real aggressor was the other player [Lee Brown]."

So, as Norton-Cuffy awaits to learn what the FA make of his challenge, there is one certainty for the teenager: big things are expected of him.

"I think there's going to be a lot of people who are going to be interested in Brooke between now and the end of the season," Appleton explained following his arrival.

"He's a player that personally - and I don't like singling out too many people, but I'll be amazed if he doesn't play in the Premier League."