Nigerian Prodigy Kelechi Nwakali Training With Arsenal Ahead Of Potential Debut

Published: July 02, 2019

Golden Ball winner at the 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup, Kelechi Nwakali has started training with Arsenal ahead of the new season, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

The former Flying Eagles skipper does not qualify for a work permit to play in the English Premier League as he has no senior caps to his name in competitive games, meaning he will head out on loan in the 2019-2020 season or be sold on a permanent basis.

On Arsenal's official website, Nwakali has been listed among their U23 players along with players of Nigerian descent Arthur Okonkwo, Tobi Omole, Joseph Olowu, Tolaji Bola, James Olayinka, Bukayo Saka, Xavier Amaechi and Folarin Balogun.

The Diamond Academy product was pictured wearing the new retro Adidas home kit recently released by the Gunners for the 2019-2020 campaign.

Arsenal XI will face Boreham Wood in a pre-season friendly at Meadow Park on Saturday, July 6 and Nwakali is in contention to play in the game in what would be his debut for the North London club.

Since Nwakali's arrival at the Emirates Stadium in the summer of 2016, he has been farmed out on loan to MVV Maastricht, VVV Venlo and Porto.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : arsenal.com