BENIK Afobe will be launched straight into tomorrow’s friendly at Portsmouth after signing a season-long loan deal with Wanderers .

Arsenal’s young striker wasn’t short of offers in the Championship after being told to gain some first team experience by Arsene Wenger but plumped for the Reebok after a glowing recommendation from good mate, and former Wanderers loanee Jack Wilshere. Owen Coyle’s magic touch helped transform Wilshere into a first team regular at the Emirates – and Afobe has been told the same can happen for him if he seizes his chance.

Afobe has joined up with the squad at their hotel on the South Coast and is due to be put straight into the squad for the match at Fratton Park, joining the Whites’ other strike options Kevin Davies and David Ngog.

The England youth international has already had spells on loan with Huddersfield Town and Reading, and spent six months on the sidelines last season with a groin injury.

He played a prominent role for the Gunners in their pre-season tour of Asia, however, and has opted to go out on loan again rather than feature on the fringes of Wenger’s plans in the Premier League.

Although Afobe’s transfer will be officially ratified tomorrow morning, it seems the future of Carlos Sanchez is anything but clear.

The club had expected the Colombia international to show for talks this week, only to be told that the player had failed to travel.

It is not yet known whether that will signal the end of the club’s chase for the 26-year-old, who is also reportedly interesting West Ham.