One time Arsenal youngster Arturo Lupoli has joined Championship side Norwich City in a one-year loan deal from Fiorentina. The 21-year-old spent the majority of last season at Serie B side Treviso and despite not making an appearance for Fiorentina, is on the move again.
Arturo Lupoli does have experience at Championship level and this would have played its part in Norwich City manager Glenn Roeder making a move for the striker. He enjoyed a successful loan spell at Derby County during the 2006/2007 season when the Rams won promotion to the Premier League.
The players’ comments suggest that he is very happy to be moving back to England, speaking about the move he said that he was ‘hoping to contribute’ to a ‘great season for Norwich City’. One thing for sure is that if Arturo Lupoli fulfills some of his potential during his spell at Carrow Road, the Norwich fans are in for a treat. He is a very skilliful player with an eye for goal and I think he will shine – like he did for Derby – at Championship level.
Glenn Roeder seems to have an excellent relationship with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger as it is rumoured that the Frenchman recommended Lupoli to the Norwich boss. Considering everything he has achieved in football, there are certainly worse people to take advice off than Arsene Wenger!
Glenn Roeder – who has now made seven additions to his Norwich squad – is now looking to add a ‘more physical striker’ to partner either Arturo Lupoli or last season’s top goalscorer Jamie Cureton in attack. Whoever this player turns out to be, they will be joining Ryan Bertrand, Dejan Stefanovic, Elliot Omozusi, Sammy Clingan, David Bell, Wes Hoolahan and of course Arturo Lupoli as the new signings at Carrow Road.
The Norwich squad is certainly looking stronger in my opinion. The players they shipped out in the summer included Dion Dublin and Darren Huckerby, but they are slowly building a squad that may alter the Championship football odds somewhat.
Of course time will tell how well the new set of players gel together, but after three wins out of three in pre-season; it is so far so good for Glenn Roeder’s Norwich City revolution.