New Arsenal recruit Kelechi Nwakali has been handed the iconic number 25 jersey made popular in his homeland by former Super Eagles star Nwankwo Kanu, CEO of his nursery team Emeka Amajiriaku has revealed.

The Gunners have already started yielding to the demands of the Nigeria U20 international, who specially requested for the shirt number after agreeing a five-year deal with the Emirates outfit.

 “Arsenal have informed us that Kelechi has been handed the number 25 jersey. He was trying to get that number because of Kanu Nwankwo, so he’s happy they gave it to him, ” said ASJ Academy supremo Amajiriaku to allnigeriasoccer.com.

Nwakali, who clocked 18 years earlier this month, is still with the Nigeria U20s , and the coaching staff led by Emmanuel Amuneke and the Nigerian Federation will have to give the go-ahead before he travels to London for his official unveiling.

“Kelechi is no longer our property, we can’t decide when he’ll travel to London. No one knows the mind of Arsene Wenger, they need him urgently but we want him to play for Nigeria.

“The coach and the Nigeria Football Federation will have to decide,” added Emeka Amajiriaku.

Former England U21 star Carl Jenkinson was handed the number 25 kit by Arsenal last term but did not play competitively for the club as he was farmed out on loan to West Ham.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel