Arteta promotes five teenagers of Nigerian descent to first-team training pre-Brighton & Hove

Published: May 22, 2021

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta ran the rule over five Nigeria-eligible teenagers during Arsenal's penultimate workout before taking to the pitch against Brighton & Hove on Sunday, May 23.

The 19-year-olds Folarin Balogun and Arthur Okonkwo were joined by three 18-year-olds in Miguel Azeez, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji and Mazeed Ogungbo in the training session held at London Colney on Friday.

Okonkwo has climbed up the pecking order of goalkeepers for the fixture against the Seagulls as Mathew Ryan is forbidden to face his parent club because of the loan agreement between Arsenal and Brighton & Hove.

It is looking likely that the talented Anglo-Nigerian glovesman will be with the squad at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, however, being named in the matchday 20 is another matter.

With the exception of Azeez, none of the aforementioned players has been included in a matchday squad for a Premier League game.

The Gunners have a remote chance of qualifying for next season's Europa Conference League, meaning Arteta is likely to name his strongest possible squad against Brighton, which will limit the chances of the five teenagers tasting action.

Azeez, Balogun, Butler-Oyedeji, Ogungbo and Okonkwo will wear the number 66, 38, 67, 73 and 53 if they make an appearance against Brighton & Hove.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Copyright ANS

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com