Oliseh-Like Midfielder Azeez Open To Representing Nigeria; Spain Woo Arsenal's Next Big Thing

Arsenal wonderkid Miguel Azeez has not ruled out the possibility of representing Nigeria, where his father hails from, in the near future.

An England U18 international, the central midfielder is spoilt for choice over the country to represent internationally at senior level as he is also eligible for Spain through his Spanish mother.

Azeez has everything to become a world-class player in the coming years and is one of the academy products regarded as the future of Arsenal.

Blessed with a wide range of passing, ability to strike the ball from distance and a free-kick specialist, Azeez can be likened to former Nigeria captain Sunday Oliseh.

"It will be an honour to play for any country that I am affiliated with but I always believe that I have to keep my options open," Azeez said in a lengthy Youtube interview with celebrated Spanish journalist Guillem Balague when asked if he would consider playing for Spain.

"At the moment, playing for any country is a dream that any child has so to get called up to any country will be an honour to me. I have to keep my options open as well."

Miguel's dad has not taken him to Nigeria yet because he has lived abroad for more than three decades, but it's something on his to-do list which the midfielder is looking forward to.

"That's because I have not been to Nigeria myself for ages, Nigeria is another topic entirely. I love Nigeria, the thing about the culture is that they don't pretend to be anything else.

"I can't speak Yoruba fluently so I don't even pretend to say to my boys you have to speak Yoruba when I can't speak it properly myself.

"I have not been to Nigeria since 1988, so that's a long time. You just reminded me I have to do it," said Miguel's father.

While Nigeria and Spain are looking into the possibility of calling Miguel Azeez at some point as they are aware of his potential, England first offered him the chance to play international football.

On his maiden call-up to the Young Lions, Miguel said : "There was an U15 training call-up, that was like three years ago, that was my first experience with England.

"There was an e-mail I got after training that I have been selected to a training camp with England and I was buzzing to start with them.

"Obviously I was delighted, I remember instinctively I was in the room, my dad called me over and I saw on the laptop there was an email from England, I was jumping with joy because playing for your country is the biggest thing possible. I have been an international to U18s."

The 17-year-old Azeez, who signed his first professional contract with Arsenal last year, has been tipped to make his first team debut for the north London club next season, having trained with the first team this term.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel