Karl Robinson has backed Arsenal’s Stephy Mavididi to make the grade in the Premier League after a bright start to life on loan at Charlton.
The 18-year-old joined the League One side on loan last month and though he is yet to find the net in a Charlton shirt he has put in a series of impressive displays despite the Addicks’ recent struggles, going close in Saturday's 1-0 home defeat by Bury before going off with a hamstring injury.
Mavididi is highly regarded at the Emirates, he is the Arsenal’s Under-23s top goalscorer this season, and was coveted by sides in the Football League and abroad when the Gunners made him available for loan.
Charlton manager Robinson spoke highly of his new recruit at the time and having spent nearly a month working with Mavididi is convinced that the young striker can shine in the top flight.
“Stephy’s an interesting one. Since he has come in everyone is talking about him, he was probably the shining light against Rochdale and Oxford,” Robinson told Standard Sport.
“A real good kid, a real honest kid, a kid who wants to learn.
“Fundamentally he has the physical aspects to be successful. He’s certainly got a bright future.”
Robinson added: “I can’t speak for Arsene Wenger, all I can say is I’ve worked at that level for a long time and I see components in his game that he should not fall short of playing at the highest level.
“Whether it’s for Arsenal, that’s not my decision.”
Mavididi had fans in both North and South London salivating when footage emerged of the youngster’s thrilling run from one box to another in a 3-3 draw at Rochdale.
Arsene Wenger's young guns
Taking seven players out of contention with powerful, precise running the striker burst from one box to the other only to spurn the chance at the last, firing his shot straight at Ben Wilson.
Though he may not have got on the scoresheet it was a powerful indicator of Mavididi’s talent.
“All of us on the bench were thinking ‘please score, please, please’,” Robinson said of the run. “If that had gone in it would have been one of the best goals I’ve ever seen live.
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“It’s not about doing it once, it’s about doing it over a number of games to know that his talent is having an effect. If he did it once it’s not good enough. He did it again and I’m sure he’ll do it again.
“That’s the sort of consistency he’ll need to play in the Premier League, the greatest league in the world.”
Charlton are in action again on Tuesday night as they face to Shrewsbury Town, 18th in League One, at the New Meadow, but Mavididi is unavailable.
