The 17-year-old signed for Leicester on deadline day
Amani Richards’ father appeared to hit out at Mikel Arteta on social media as the Arsenal youth player made the move to Leicester City.
The 17-year-old signed a permanent deal with Brendan Rodgers’ side on deadline day after failing to make a senior appearance for the Gunners.
Richards – who is thought to be an Arsenal supporter – signed his first professional contract with the north London outfit just three months ago.
Speaking after signing the deal, he said:Â “It’s a surreal feeling, especially because it’s my boyhood club and I grew up supporting them,” said Richards after agreeing the deal.
“I had a lot of conversations with Per [Mertesacker, Arsenal’s academy manager] and many other people at the club and I felt like they believed in me a lot and this was the best step for me in my journey.”
However, with Richards leaving the Emirates to sign for the Foxes, his father, Anthony, appeared to make a sly dig at first-team manager Arteta.
With suggestions that the Spaniard is set to sign a contract extension with the Gunners, Anthony allegedly took a screenshot of a post reporting the news and wrote on Instagram: “It gets worse and worse by the minute.”
It is unclear at the moment whether Richards’ move away from the club was a result of a falling out between the two parties, or if his alleged post was relating to the transfer.
Richards did not record an appearance for Arsenal’s U23 squad this season, failing to feature in either the EFL Trophy or Premier League 2.
However, he did make seven appearances in the U18 Premier League – starting twice – and came off the bench in Arsenal’s FA Youth Cup defeat to Colchester United in December.
As reported by football.london, Arsenal received a transfer fee from Leicester for Richards.
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- Emmanuel Adebayor takes swipe at Arsenal amid Aubameyang stand-off
