Akpom - How Rosicky helps me to improve

Chuba Akpom says that heeding Tomas Rosicky’s advice has helped him to become a better player.

The teenager has made seven appearances for Arsenal this season, and won a penalty in the 5-0 victory over Aston Villa at the start of February.

Akpom says it feels “amazing” to have made the breakthrough to the first-team squad, but insists he still has a lot to learn.

“I speak to Tomas Rosicky a lot,” the forward told the Arsenal Magazine. "He is a legend and he is always giving me advice and telling me what to do more of.

“The one thing he always tells me is to always be moving, so you make a movement and if you don’t get the ball you then make another move to ensure you are available.

“He also encourages me to mix my game up: to take a few touches here, then the next time to take one touch and then spin away. He knows what he is talking about, he’s world class so it’s great to learn from these types of players.

“When I look around and see the likes of him and Mesut Ozil… these are people you play on Fifa with, that you watch on TV, so for me to be in the changing room with them… it’s amazing.”