Butler-Oyedeji trains with Arsenal first team ahead of London derby against Fulham

Nathan Butler-Oyedeji is sticking around with Arsenal's first team following the season-ending injuries suffered by forwards Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

Jesus and Havertz will miss the rest of the season after sustaining ACL and hamstring injuries respectively.

Their injuries have created an opportunity for Arsenal's development squad star Butler-Oyedeji to receive a temporary promotion to Arsenal's first team.

Ahead of Arsenal's London derby against Fulham in the Premier League, the Hale End Academy graduate rubbed shoulders with first team players Declan Rice, Raheem Sterling and Ben White during Friday's workout at Sobha Realty Training Centre.

Oleksandr Zinchenko, Leandro Trossard, Jorginho, Mikel Merino, Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard were also spotted training with the Gunners in London Colney, under the guidance of manager Mikel Arteta.

Nigeria Football Federation target Ethan Nwaneri, back from international duty with England U21s, participated in yesterday's training session. 

Butler-Oyedeji has been included in eight of Arsenal's eleven Premier League matchday squads this year, with Brentford, Manchester City, and Manchester United being the only games he was not selected for.

After making his Champions League and senior debut against Dinamo Zagreb, he was an unused substitute against Girona and PSV Eindhoven, while also making the bench against Manchester United in the Champions League.

Butler-Oyedeji previously enjoyed loan spells at Cheltenham Town and Accrington Stanley, making twenty-five appearances combined for the EFL clubs.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit: arsenal.com

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