Tolaji Bola Handed Game Time As Arsenal Lose Five-Goal Thriller Vs Aston Villa

Published: September 05, 2020

Nigeria-eligible left-back Tolaji Bola was handed a run out as Arsenal fell to a narrow 3-2 defeat in a pre-season friendly versus Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

The 21-year-old, who played for the Gunners in the big win against Milton Keynes Dons, was yet again involved as the north London club continued to fine-tune ahead of their first league game of the new season.

Mikel Arteta had little option than to hand the youngster game time in the engagement, as the team's established options in the left-back position Kieran Tierney, Sead Kolasinac and Bukayo Saka were all on international duty.

While Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice for Arsenal, Jacob Ramsey got a brace of his own to go with a strike from Douglas Luiz.

In the upcoming season, Bola will be hoping to go one better than he did last season when he made the matchday squad for a League Cup clash vs Nottingham Forest but was a non-playing substitute.

Blessed with leadership qualities, the Hale End Academy product captained Arsenal U23 squad in some matches during the 2019-2020 season.

Emmanuel Chinaza

Photo Credit : arsenal.com

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