Arteta promotes Nigerian-born midfielder to first team training pre-Leicester City

Published: October 28, 2021

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta promoted Nigerian-born midfielder Tim Akinola to first team training on Thursday, two days before his side's trip to the East Midlands to face Leicester City in the Premier League.

Training images published by the official website of the Gunners today confirm that Akinola participated in the Gunners penultimate workout before taking to the King Power Stadium turf.

Nigeria-eligible duo Folarin Balogun and goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, who are first teamers on paper, also took part in the training session at London Colney.

The three Anglo-Nigerian youngsters have a slim chance of being included in the matchday squad against the Foxes as they could be involved in U23 duties against Leeds United on Friday evening.

Arteta has a large squad to choose from and is aiming to give game time to several senior players in Cup matches and this is why Akinola was not selected for the recent win against Leeds United in the Carabao Cup.

The Nigeria Olympic National Team hopeful has been named in the starting lineup in the last six matches contested by the Gunners in the Premier League 2.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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