Nwaneri, Nichols feature as goals from Gabriel Jesus and Smith Rowe give Arsenal win v Leyton

Two players of Nigerian descent Ethan Nwaneri and Josh Nichols are in contention to be included in Arsenal's traveling squad to the United States on Sunday, July 21, allnigeriasoccer.com reports. 

The Hale End Academy graduates took part in the Gunners' behind-closed-doors friendly against Leyton Orient at the Sobha Realty Training Centre on Saturday - the team's last friendly before the trip to the United States. 

Manager Mikel Arteta has promoted Nwaneri and Nichols to first team training as several first teamers are yet to report for pre-season training following their involvement in the 2024 European Championship and Copa America.

Jakub Kiwior, Kieran Tierney, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Aaron Ramsdale, Kai Havertz, William Saliba, Leandro Trossard, Jorginho, Oleksandr Zinchenko, David Raya, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes were all selected for confederation tournaments this summer. 

Against Leyton Orient, on the 60-minute mark, manager Mikel Arteta made seven changes to his team, two of which saw Nwaneri and Nichols come off the bench to replace Reiss Nelson and Myles Lewis-Skelly respectively.

Arsenal broke the deadlock midway through the first half when Gabriel Jesus finished off a counter attacking move, tucking home after he was set up by Eddie Nketiah.

The Gunners doubled the advantage three minutes into the second half when Emile Smith-Rowe, with a powerful shot, beat the Leyton Orient goalkeeper. 

Three minutes from time, Nwaneri came close to extending Arsenal's lead but was denied by substitute goalkeeper Noah Phillips.

On Sunday, the first team squad departs for Los Angeles by plane, ahead of Thursday morning's clash with Bournemouth.

Igho Kingsley 

Photo Credit: arsenal.com

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