Charles Sagoe Jr is one of the 12 Academy players Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, has included in his 26-man squad for the Gunners US Tour. So, here is everything you need to know about the Ghanaian prospect.
Sajoe joined Swansea City on loan in February this year and has returned to the Gunners after the expiration of the loan deal to chase first team breakthrough in the 2024/25 season.
The teenager has been a part of Arsenal’s academy since he was 11 and is among their most promising talents. Mikel Arteta has also kept close tabs on his progress and gave the forward his senior debut in September 2023. Sagoe Jr started their Carabao Cup win over Brentford.
First-team chances have proven rare for the youngster but Sagoe Jr has featured in a Europa League squad previously.
Academy manager Mehmet Ali omitted Sagoe Jr from Arsenal’s Under-19 side to face Sevilla in the UEFA Youth League as he was in line to make his senior team debut in Europe in September last season. He had started all three of their previous ties in the development competition this season. The attacker also scored against Sevilla in their other B-team game.
Sagoe Jr has given a consistent goal threat at the youth level since joining Arsenal following his departure from Fulham. The Cottagers let the prospect leave their academy squad at an early stage. So, here is everything you need to know about the Arsenal prospect, Sagoe Jr…
Who is Charles Sagoe Jr?
Charles Sagoe Jr is a member of Arsenal’s academy and currently plays with their Under-21s under Mehmet Ali. He has been at the Gunners since July 2015 after joining the famed Hale End ranks from Fulham. Sagoe Jr also signed his first professional contract in July 2022.
Where and when was Charles Sagoe Jr born?
Arsenal talent Charles Sagoe Jr was born in Kingston-upon-Thames in south-west London on July 24, 2004. It was also his father who first introduced the winger to football as a youth. Through his family, Sagoe Jr is eligible to represent Ghana as well as England internationally.
What position does Charles Sagoe Jr play?
Charles Sagoe Jr can play in a number of positions but has predominantly honed his trade as a left-sided winger. Youth coaches have also embraced his versatility to play as an attacking midfielder or a striker. Arteta also gave Sagoe Jr his senior Arsenal debut as a right forward.
How good is Charles Sagoe Jr?
Arsenal have watched Charles Sagoe Jr develop into a promising attacker since arriving from Fulham’s academy in 2015. The forward offers a composed presence on either flank and has developed a real habit of scoring late goals. His expertise secured Sagoe Jr his pro contract.
Gunners chiefs moved to tie down the attacker’s future in July 2022 after he scored six of his goals during the previous season in the final 20 minutes of their U18 matches. He further laid on four assists during 2021/22 as one of the club’s top forward threats at the Under-18 level.
It did not take Sagoe Jr long after getting his professional contract to begin training with the Arsenal first-team, either. Arteta soon took a keen interest in his further development and gave the winger a seat on their bench for a Europa League tie at Sporting CP in March 2023.
What has Mikel Arteta said about Charles Sagoe Jr?
Further sessions at London Colney through 2023 ultimately led to Sagoe Jr’s senior Arsenal debut at Brentford. Arteta was also full of praise for his displays after their third-round win.
“Chaz was probably one of the most consistent players we’ve had in the Under-21s for a few months,” Arteta stated in September 2023, via the Metro. “He plays off the right, off the left, he’s played as a nine as well this season quite a lot, so he’s quite versatile in those positions.”
Sagoe Jr had already been impressing some in the Arsenal first-team before his senior debut at Brentford, too. Reiss Nelson loved what the winger produced at the U21 level in 2022/23.
“You’ve got everything to be an Arsenal winger,” Nelson told Sagoe Jr on the Gunners’ club YouTube channel in March 2023. “You’re unpredictable, you know how to move on your left, on your right, you can score [and] you can assist. You’ve got everything.”
Sagoe Jr has stunned Arteta and Nelson after developing his skills in Arsenal’s academy. He also draws inspiration from Neymar and Ronaldinho, having watched the Brazilian legends dazzle from an early age. Their joy for the sport helped cement Sagoe Jr’s love for football.
Speaking with Arsenal’s official website in March 2023, Sagoe Jr recalled: “I remember being mesmerised by watching Neymar and Ronaldinho videos on YouTube and then going into the garden trying to copy their skills.
“The Brazilian players were the ones I looked up to. They always played with a smile on their faces and they made the game of football enjoyable to watch.”
Charles Sagoe Jr’s stats at Arsenal
Ahead of the 2023/24 season, Charles Sagoe Jr had not played a competitive senior game for Arsenal. He had also not played for the Gunners in Europe but held a strong goals record. Arteta gave Sagoe Jr the first match in his Arsenal stats on September 27, 2023 at Brentford.
Under-18, Arsenal: 32 appearances, 9 goals, 3 assists
Under-21, Arsenal: 32 appearances, 7 goals, 3 assists
First-team, Arsenal: 0 appearances, 0 goals, 0 assists
