Three players of Nigerian descent linked with loan moves miss Arsenal's 2-1 win vs Tottenham U23s

For the first time this season, Anglo-Nigerian starlet Miguel Azeez was not included in an Arsenal matchday squad for a Premier League 2 fixture amid speculation linking the central midfielder with an imminent loan switch to League One club Portsmouth.

Arsenal U23s came from behind to record an impressive 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on matchday three in the division on Friday afternoon without their influential midfielder.

A move appears to be in the offing as the England youth international is one of the first names on the Gunners U23 team sheet, captaining the squad in their first two competitive matches of the new season.

Two other Nigerians linked with loan moves in the shape of Ryan Alebiosu and Tim Akinola were also missing from Arsenal's matchday squad.

While fullback Alebiosu is in talks with Sunderland, Akinola's agent is holding discussions with a few clubs.

There were a couple of players with Nigerian background on parade at Hotspur Way Training Centre in London, with 2021 Super Eagles invitee Joshua Oluwayemi and Tobi Omole starting for the home team, while Mazeed Ogungbo completed the full game and Joel Ideho played the final eight minutes for the Gunners.

Following a goalless first half, Alfie Devine broke the deadlock four minutes after the restart, but a brace from
Taylor-Hart saw Arsenal win their second successive game.

After a disastrous start to the season, Arsenal are now second in the provisional Premier League 2 standings and Tottenham Hotspur are fifth.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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