Arsenal send message to Nigerian-born midfielder after first-ever goal for Gunners U23s

Published: November 09, 2021

Arsenal have sent a message to Nigerian-born midfielder Tim Akinola after his first goal in the Premier League 2 helped the Gunners come from three goals down to draw 3-3 with Leicester City on Saturday.

In an unbelievable match at Arsenal Training Center, the Gunners netted three times in stoppage time to salvage a point with Akinola pulling a goal back in the 91st minute before goals from Omari Hutchinson and Folarin Balogun.

The Anglo-Nigerian midfielder spent 2,278 minutes on the pitch spread across thirty matches before scoring his first goal in the Premier League 2, and logged 375 minutes in five games for Arsenal U21s in the EFL Trophy.

Akinola has caught the eye of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta whilst training with the first team and a senior debut could be on the horizon in 2022.

The 20-year-old has been described as extra competitive, also stands out for his physicality and pace, and is often compared to Chelsea star N'Golo Kante.

Arsenal Academy posted on Instagram : "First goal for #AFCU23… keep up the hard work, @tim_akinola ".

Akinola has made himself available for selection for the Dream Team ahead of the 2023 U23 AFCON qualifiers.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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