First EPL squad involvement for Arsenal's Nigeria-eligible midfielder in win vs Sheffield United

Published: April 11, 2021

For the first time in his career, Spanish-Anglo-Nigerian midfielder Miguel Azeez was named in a matchday squad for an English Premier League fixture as his team Arsenal earned a confidence-boosting win against the bottom team Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Sunday evening.

The Hale End Academy product was part of the first team bubble for most part of last week, and made the bench for the Europa League quarterfinal first leg clash against Slavia Prague three days ago.

When manager Mikel Arteta brought on Edward Nketiah as a replacement for Alexandre Lacazette in the 89th minute, it meant Azeez was not going to make his Premier League debut.

The 18-year-old Azeez made his professional debut against Dundalk in the Europa League last December and was an unused substitute against Molde and Rapid Vienna also in the group stage.

He would have played with the number 66 jersey assuming he was handed his Premier League debut against the Blades.

Arsenal secured three comfortable points thanks to two superbly taken goals by Alexandre Lacazette either side of one for Gabriel Martinelli, his first for Arsenal since January last year.

Mikel Arteta's side have a big Europa League quarterfinal clash against Peter Olayinka's Slavia in Prague this coming Thursday.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : arsenal.com

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