17yo goalkeeper eligible for Super Eagles, Black Stars makes competitive debut for Arsenal U21s

Tri-national goalkeeper Khari Ranson has made his competitive debut for Arsenal U21s, with his inclusion in the starting lineup for the ongoing Premier League 2 clash against Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium on Monday, September 23, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

Ranson, alongside  Premier League 2 Player of the Month, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, who leads the attack, have been handed starting berths by Arsenal U21s Turkish football tactician Mehmet Ali.

The Potters also named two players of Nigerian descent in their starting lineup, including former Chelsea winger Chinonso Chibueze and forward Dean Adekoya.

Apart from England, Ranson, who grew up in East London, qualifies to represent Nigeria's Super Eagles and Ghana's Black Stars by virtue of being born to a Nigerian father and Ghanaian mother respectively.

The 17-year-old has earned temporary promotion to the Gunners development squad after just four appearances in the U18 Premier League. 

The past few days have been surreal for Ranson, as his U21 debut comes just four days after his first appearance in the UEFA Youth League.

Overall, he was an unused substitute in six games played by Arsenal's development squad prior to his competitive debut. 

Ranson began his career as a holding midfielder and central defender but eventually transitioned to goalkeeper when the team required someone to step into that position.

Josh Nichols and Ethan Nwaneri who were both named in Arsenal's traveling squad to Manchester for the Premier League meeting at the Etihad Stadium were not called up for the trip to Stoke. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: arsenal.com

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