Two Nigerian teenagers train with Arsenal team pre-Tottenham Hotspur

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta promoted two teenagers of Nigerian descent to first team training on Saturday, on the eve of his team's Premier League meeting with Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, allnigeriasoccer.com reports. 

History-making attacking midfielder Ethan Nwaneri (17) and right-back Josh Nicols (18) participated in Saturday's workout at Sobha Realty Training Centre.

Declan Rice (suspended) and Mikel Merino (shoulder injury) are unavailable, while captain Martin Odegaard is doubtful due to an injury sustained on international duty with Norway, increasing the likelihood of Nwaneri being included in the matchday squad for a fourth straight game.

Nichols was called up to train with the first team as fullbacks Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are unavailable, while Riccardo Calafiori, like Odegaard, is doubtful after picking up an injury during the international break.

Nwaneri and Nichols are among the twelve players of Nigerian descent registered by Arsenal for the Premier League, alongside 
Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, Samuel Chinedu, Andre Harriman-Annous, Ifeoluwa Ibrahim, Cam'ron Ismail, Joshua Ogunnaike, Brian Okonkwo, Daniel Oyetunde, Khari Ranson and Zac Shuaib.

The two teenagers traveled with the first team to the United States for pre-season preparations, playing in friendly matches with Bournemouth, Manchester United and Liverpool, and were also given minutes in the friendly with Bayer Leverkusen following the the team's return to England.

Nichols signed his first professional contract at Arsenal in the summer while Nwaneri went pro in March after turning 17.

Nwaneri was impressive for the Young Lions during the international break, scoring in matches against Italy and Germany U19s.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: arsenal.com

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