Todd shows Arsenal what they could have had
Todd Cantwell celebrates scoring City's second goal against his boyhood club Arsenal on Sunday. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Prior to Todd Cantwell signing his first professional deal at Norwich City back in 2016, Arsenal were reportedly chasing the attacking midfielders signature.
Advance three years later and the midfielder is scoring and putting in a man of the match performance against the club who were said to be keen on bringing his talents to the Emirates Stadium.
In those days, the midfielder from Dereham was little more than a promising youth prospect.
Now, Cantwell has become one of City's brightest stars on the Premier League stage with four goals in 14 appearances, a tally that is bettered only by Teemu Pukki with seven.
The 21-year-old has accelerated beyond a host of City stars to nail down a starting berth in Daniel Farke's XI. Impressive performances against both Everton and Arsenal have seen Cantwell catch the eye of pundits and supporters external to Norfolk.
Impressive performances against Arsenal and Everton has seen Cantwell lauded by pundits and supporters alike Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
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Inside the footballing circle, Cantwell has been a known entity since his period of development at Colney.
He emerged into the first-team picture last season, with a number of impressive cameos contributing to a largely positive campaign for him personally.
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A goal against Rotherham United at Carrow Road saw him open his City account but nobody anticipated him to have quite as big an impact after promotion.
Before his senior City debut, Cantwell went out on-loan to Fortuna Sittard, where he developed his game and impressed enough to persuade Farke to give him an opportunity in City's first-team.
Todd Cantwell tussles with Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Many expected Emi Buendia to be the attacking midfielder stealing the headlines from a City perspective but Cantwell has stepped up and made his name known. Goals against Chelsea, Manchester City, Everton and Arsenal are an impressive return for any player in the top-flight.
As Cantwell side-footed the ball beyond Bernd Leno on Sunday to restore the Canaries advantage, there would have been some in North London left kicking themselves over missing out on such a talented operator.
The Gunners are Cantwell's boyhood club with there being links to Arsenal in his family. However, he is one of the Canaries own and has developed a real fondness for the club after over a decade of service that has seen him play all the way through the Canaries youth ranks.
