Folarin Balogun was among three Nigeria-eligible players involved in Arsenal first team training ahead of Monday's difficult game at Premier League champions Liverpool, according to reports.

Arsenal youth team guru Jeorge Bird says Balogun trained with the senior squad for the first time since last season amid speculation linking the promising striker with a departure from the Emirates Stadium before the summer transfer window closes for business.

Sheffield United have openly courted the Hale End Academy product but the transfer fee is proving a stumbling block to a deal.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta also ran the rule over two other players of Nigerian descent in Miguel Azeez and James Olayinka in yesterday's workout.

With the exception of 18-year-old Azeez, the aforementioned players were named to Arsenal's matchday squad for competitive fixtures last season, with the midfielder a non-playing substitute in the Europa League tie at Standard Liege and the striker making the bench against Nottingham Forest in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

Three days after their Premier League game with Liverpool, Arteta and his men return to Anfield to face the same opponents in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel