Loan signing Akpom praises boss

On-loan Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom says he is revelling in the freedom he has been given under Brentford manager Mark Warburton.

The 18-year-old recently joined the League One leaders until the end of the season.

And although Akpom has only made three substitute appearances so far, he is already full of praise for Warburton, who has won eight and drawn one of his nine games as manager.

“He lets me go out there and enjoy myself and that really helps me because I go out with less pressure,” Akpom told West London Sport.

“Mark is always really positive. He talks to me a lot on the training ground, tells me how I’m progressing and gives me lots of feedback.

“He’s really good and hopefully he will help me progress.”

The Bees are unbeaten in the league since losing 2-1 to Stevenage in mid-October, winning 15 of their 17 games.

Their only defeat in all competitions during that period came in the FA Cup against Carlisle – the game before Warburton was appointed.

Brentford’s remarkable run means Akpom has not started a game yet but he is still enjoying his time at Griffin Park.

“I’m really happy to be at Brentford,” he added. “It’s good experience even though I’ve only been here for a short time.

“I’m learning every day and the manager and the players here have really helped with that.

“It’s good to see young strikers from the Premier League go down the leagues and play for other clubs,

“There are some good players around doing that, like Marcello [Trotta] here, but now it’s my turn.

“League One is a physical league as well and it helps my experience playing for a team that are top of the league.”

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