Arsenal Squad For First Pre-Season Game Revealed As Six Nigerians Are Included

Published: July 06, 2019

Nigeria U23 international Kelechi Nwakali is unlikely to make his debut for Arsenal when they tackle Boreham Wood FC in a pre-season friendly at Meadow Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Gunners have published via their official website the provisional squad for the game against the National League side and the former Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles captain has been omitted.

Nwakali has reported for pre-season training at London Colney and has been training with Arsenal's U23 side.

Due to Arsenal playing in the Europa League final and several first-teamers on international duty with their respective countries in the summer, the Gunners have selected a squad consisting of a mixture of U18 and U23 players, with six Nigeria-eligible players making the cut.

First-year scholar Mazeed Ogungbo has been named on the roster along with goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, defender Joseph Olowu, midfielder James Olayinka, winger Xavier Amaechi and striker Folarin Balogun.

It is a given that Nwakali will be loaned out or depart Arsenal on a permanent basis before the close of the summer transfer window as he does not qualify for a work permit in England.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : arsenal.com