UEL: Teenage Nigerian Midfielder Makes Arsenal Matchday 18 For The First Time In Career
Published: December 12, 2019Arsenal's interim head coach Freddie Ljungberg has named his matchday squad for Thursday evening's Europa League match against Standard Liege at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne - Liege, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.
The big news if you are a Nigerian fan of Arsenal is that Hale End Academy product James Olayinka has been selected in the Gunners matchday 18 by the Swedish football tactician.
While Olayinka is among the seven substitutes named on the bench, the second Nigerian-eligible player that traveled to Belgium with the first team, Bukayo Saka will start his fourth game in this season's Europa League, barring an injury in the warm-up.
Aged 19 years and 68 days today, Olayinka won't be the first Nigeria-eligible 19-year-old to feature in the Europa League if he comes off the bench, with the likes of Jordon Ibe (for Liverpool), Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal), Samuel Kalu (Gent) and Wilfred Ndidi (Genk) making their debuts in the competition at the age of 19.
Given that he is the only midfielder named on the Arsenal bench, he stands a good chance of making his senior debut against the Belgian opponents.
Olayinka played three matches for the first team during pre-season - against Colorado Rapids, Fiorentina and SCO Angers - and has trained with the squad several times this season.
He has been handed the number 52 jersey for the Europa League.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Photo Credit : arsenal.com
Latest News
- Finidi includes Fenerbahce, Anderlecht, Everton, Bolton, Vitoria legends in dream Super Eagles XI
- Nottingham Forest boss provides update on Awoniyi after striker's withdrawal from Ghana, Mali games
- 'Fantastic couple just like in Nigerian national team' - Ex-Napoli star has his say on Osimhen v Lookman duel
- Confirmed: Premier League's youngest debutant signs professional contract with Arsenal
- Spain aiming to cap-tie Barcelona striker on the same date Super Falcons face Banyana Banyana in Pretoria
- Kevin Zeroli reaches an agreement in principle to sign new contract at AC Milan
- Super Eagles-eligible midfielder back in the treatment room at Chelsea
- 16-year-old box-to-box Nigerian midfielder trains with Arsenal first team pre-Manchester City
- Manu Garba returns to Golden Eaglets as head coach; assistant roles for Ugbade, Bala Nikyu
- Trabzonspor eye move for Nwakali's teammate as potential replacement for Southampton loanee Onuachu
Football News 24/7
News Categories
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football