Portsmouth manager insists Arsenal are happy over treatment of Nigeria-eligible midfielder

Portsmouth manager Danny Cowley has claimed that Arsenal are happy over the treatment of Anglo-Spanish-Nigerian midfielder Miguel Azeez amid speculation in the media that he could be recalled from his loan spell at the League One club in January 2022.

The England U20 international has found game time hard to come by since joining Portsmouth in August, logging only 76 minutes in two games.

With no Europa League football this season, Arsenal loaned out Azeez to get first team experience but the temporary switch has not been beneficial to the player due to his lack of action.

The Gunners entrusted Cowley with academy product Emile Smith Rowe during their time at Huddersfield and it worked out well for all the parties involved with the attacking midfielder thriving at the Terriers in the second half of the 2019-2020 season before establishing himself in the Arsenal first team the following season.

"There have been no issues with Arsenal. We speak to them regularly, we have very good dialogue with them and a very good relationship," Cowley told The News.

"They know we are working really, really hard with Miguel and I think they believe this has been a brilliant loan for him to this point.

"They trust me and know we are desperate for Miguel to be a success here, that’s why we have brought him in.

"We are also respectful that he’s only a young boy – aged 19 – and has never seen this level of football before.

"He’s just learning and working out how he can use his skill set and be effective at this level."

Azeez has played more games for England U20s in the current season, three in total, than for his loan club Portsmouth.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : arsenal.com