Hale End Academy graduate Ife Ibrahim has taken to social media to celebrate making his official debut for boyhood club Arsenal on Wednesday night.

Just a day after the Gunners confirmed that he had signed his first professional contract, manager Mikel Arteta handed the London-born Nigerian midfielder his senior debut from the bench as the Gunners secured a 3-2 victory over Kairat Almaty in a UEFA Champions League encounter. 

After receiving his first-ever call-up to the first team for a competitive fixture, Ibrahim, who wore the number 72 shirt, came on in the 89th minute in place of Christian Nørgaard.

Although his time on the Emirates Stadium pitch was brief, the 18-year-old still managed three touches of the ball and completed 50 per cent of his passes.

The highly rated teenager also recorded one tackle, while conceding a single foul.

Ibrahim becomes the second Nigerian player from Arsenal’s 2024-2025 intake of scholars to make his senior debut, following in the footsteps of Andre Harriman-Annous.

Writing on Instagram, Ibrahim stated: "Proud to have made my champions league debut and Arsenal debut! Glory to God". 

Reactions quickly followed as Arsenal players of Nigerian descent past and present, including Chidi Obi, Daniel Oyegoke and Khari Ranson, took to the comments to congratulate Ibrahim on his debut.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel