Six U21 Players Of Nigerian Descent Named In Arsenal's Europa League Squad

Published: February 05, 2019

Six U21 players of Nigerian descent have been included in Arsenal's Europa League squad for the knockout stages of the competition.

Nigeria international Alex Iwobi also made the cut, as you would expect, as one of the club trained players on the List A.

UEFA defines a club trained player as a player who was on a club's books for three years between the ages of 15 and 21; while an Association-trained player is a player who was on another club's books in the same association for three years between the ages of 15 and 21.

According to UEFA, a player may be registered on List B if he is born on, or after, 1 January 1997 and has been eligible to play for the club concerned for any uninterrupted period of two years since his 15th birthday (players aged 16 may be submitted if they have been registered with the club for the previous two years.

The six players of Nigerian descent named in the Gunners List B are : goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, defenders Tobi Omole, Tolaji Bola and Joseph Olowu, wingers Xavier Amaechi and Bukayo Saka.

Iwobi will play with his usual number 17 jersey, Okonkwo 86, while Tolaji Bola, Olowu, Omole, Amaechi and Saka have been handed the number 38, 50, 51, 66 and 87 kits respectively.

The aforementioned players are all available for selection when Unai Emery's side do battle with BATE Borisov in the round of 32 on Valentine's Day.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : arsenal.com