Talented Arsenal midfielder Ife Ibrahim has admitted that he was taken by surprise when he received a call-up to the Young Lions squad for a pair of friendlies against France in October 2025. 

Following a strong start to the season that saw him make full debuts in the UEFA Youth League and EFL Trophy for Arsenal's development squad, Ibrahim received his maiden call-up to the England U18 squad.

Two years after his debut for England U15s, the dual-national midfielder, who is also eligible for Nigeria through his parents, featured in the two friendlies against France.

Ibrahim described the moment of receiving confirmation of the call-up as an amazing feeling, having been named in provisional squads for previous camps. 

"I was also called up to the England Under-18s, which I'm extremely grateful for. I'd had a run of games and then received the email saying I'd been selected," Ibrahim told Arsenal's Young Gun series. 

"At first, I was surprised because I'd had quite a few standby emails in the past. Finding out it was an actual call-up was an amazing feeling. "

Ibrahim was among three Nigeria-eligible players on the books of Arsenal named in the Young Lions' squads for the October internationals, alongside attacking midfielder Ethan Nwaneri (U21) and goalkeeper  Khari Ranson (U19).

"In that under-18s camp it was myself and Jack Porter, and then across the different age groups, there was Tommy Setford with the under-20s, Ethan Nwaneri with the under-21s and Myles Lewis-Skelly around the first team," he said.

Just days after signing his first professional contract with Arsenal, Hale End Academy graduate Ibrahim made his senior debut, coming off the bench in a Champions League clash against Kairat.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel