Lokoja-born midfielder Tim Akinola has revealed that he was initially offered a trial opportunity at Arsenal but the north London club opted to sign him straightaway because he showed he was hungry to be with the team.

The 19-year-old found himself looking for a new club after failing to agree terms with Championship outfit Huddersfield Town on a new contract.

Akinola put pen to paper on a two-year deal, keeping him at the Emirates Stadium until June 30, 2022.

"My agent sent three 90-minute games to Arsenal and after they reviewed my footage, they wanted to offer me a trial," Akinola said to Arsenal Matchday Programme. 

"Lockdown kept getting extended and that was killing me because I just wanted my chance, but in the end they decided to roll the dice and sign me up because they could see just how hungry I was.

"I'll never forget that day and even now, I can't quite believe that I'm here. Things are even better than I could have ever imagined too."

Akinola quickly adapted to his new club because he felt welcome and appreciated by his teammates and the coaching staff.

"For the first time in my career, I genuinely fee like I'm valued as a player and person by my club and that's crazy because it's at one of the biggest clubs in the world.

"I'm playing. I'm learning. I'm appreciated. It's all so new to me.

"It's the happiest I've ever been in my life. Every single day I wake up with a smile on my face knowing I'm about to walk through the gates at London Colney and wear the Arsenal badge.

"The coaches, the staff, the physios...everyone here has made me feel so welcome. It feels like home and I'm so proud to represent this club," he added.

Akinola has emerged as a key player for Arsenal U21 and U23 teams in the 2020-2021 season, starting eleven of the fourteen matches contested by the club in the Premier League 2 and EFL Trophy.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel