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Former Arsenal starlet Arsene Wenger once compared to Yaya Toure retires

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Chuks Aneke has announced his retirement from football at 33, according to Arsenal Insider. Aneke spent 13 years at Arsenal's academy, making one first-team appearance in a 2011 League Cup win over Shrewsbury Town. He confirmed his retirement on Instagram, looking forward to the "Second Half". Shrewsbury was his final club.

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Former Arsenal starlet Arsene Wenger once compared to Yaya Toure retires
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Chuks Aneke has announced his retirement from football at 33, according to Arsenal Insider. Aneke spent 13 years at Arsenal's academy, making one first-team appearance in a 2011 League Cup win over Shrewsbury Town. He confirmed his retirement on Instagram, looking forward to the "Second Half". Shrewsbury was his final club.

Aneke was considered one of the most promising players from his period in Arsenal's academy. Arsenal youth expert Jeorge Bird and manager Arsene Wenger praised his ability, with Wenger comparing him to Yaya Toure due to his "body power and good technique". He was often mentioned alongside Benik Afobe, with Steve Bould describing the pair as "two of the best in England" at their age.

Aneke's career was marked by loan spells and a serious knee injury in 2016. He reinvented himself as a striker, scoring 19 goals for MK Dons in 2018-19 and helping Charlton win promotion in 2025. Aneke finishes his career with 94 goals in 414 games and has taken on a scouting and analysis role at Shrewsbury.

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Former Arsenal academy star Chuks Aneke has announced his retirement from football at the age of 33. Aneke joined Arsenal at the age of seven and spent 13 years at the club, but made just one first-team appearance: a late cameo in a 3-1 League Cup win over Shrewsbury Town in 2011. Ironically, Shrewsbury went on to be the final club of his career. He confirmed the news on Instagram on Wednesday, writing: “It was all part of an amazing journey and I wouldn’t change it. Looking forward to the Second Half.” For those who remember, Aneke is one of the great what-ifs from that period in the Arsenal academy. Aneke came through alongside Benik Afobe.

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