'Per Mertesacker Taught Me The Art Of Defending' - Super Eagles Star On His Time At Arsenal

Nigeria international Semi Ajayi has spoken candidly about his time at Arsenal, saying he was delighted to work under the legendary French coach Arsene Wenger and train with some world class players.

The central defender put behind him the disappointment of missing out on Nigeria's roster to the 2013 FIFA U20 World Cup by sealing a move to the Gunners following a successful trial.

Ajayi went on to captain the Gunners U23 squad and was close to making his first-team debut, having made the matchday squads for Premier League matches against Hull City, Stoke City and Newcastle United, in his final season with the club.

"It was great honestly, came from Charlton to a massive club like Arsenal - the facilities, the players that I was training with, the boss Arsene Wenger working under him," Ajayi said in an Instagram Live chat with the Super Eagles Media Team monitored by allnigeriasoccer.com.

" I learnt a lot while I was there so I always look back on the two years.

"Training with these guys everyday was great because I could go up against some of the best players in the country and around the world."

Per Mertesacker took Ajayi under his wing during his time at Arsenal and the Super Eagles star has admitted that the 2014 World Cup winner taught him the art of defending.

"Per Mertesacker took a lot of time out to teach me the art of defending and give me some wisdom that he's picked along the way and shared with me, and I was really grateful for that.

"I did hope to one day break into the first team but everyone's path is different, sometimes you have to take two steps back to take three steps forward.

"The things that I learnt while I was there will serve me for the rest of my career," said Ajayi.

Ajayi was dropped from the Super Eagles squad to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations but has now become a key player for the national team, going the distance in their last four matches.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel