Nigerian-born midfielder impresses Arteta on his non-competitive debut for Arsenal vs Brentford

Published: September 02, 2021

Nigerian-born youngster Tim Akinola made his non-competitive debut for Arsenal's first team as they demolished Brentford 4-0 in a behind-closed-doors friendly at London Colney on Thursday, allnigeriasoccer.com understands.

Signed from Huddersfield Town in the summer of 2020, the highly-rated midfielder had been tipped to be loaned out to get a taste of first team football in the recently concluded transfer window but the move did not happen.

Akinola had attracted interest from several foreign teams but the Gunners hierarchy blocked the move because they wanted him to be loaned out to a Football League club in England.

With several players away on international duty with their respective countries, Gunners manager Mikel Arteta has promoted Akinola to first team training and handed him minutes off the bench in the friendly against the Bees.

The feelers from the Emirates Stadium indicate that the Spaniard was very impressed with the display of Akinola in today's game.

The Arsenal youth team coaches saw the Anglo-Nigerian as an important player in 2020-2021, starting him in 22 of the 28 matches played the development squad and he was in action for 1,906 minutes.

Arsenal secured a comprehensive win thanks to goals from Gabriel, Alexandre Lacazette and Cedric (2).

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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