Three strikers of Nigerian descent on target as Arsenal beat Southampton B in 5-goal thriller

Arsenal twice came from behind to earn a stunning 3-2 win over Southampton B in a Premier League Cup clash at Staplewood Training Ground in Hampshire on Sunday afternoon with three strikers of Nigerian descent getting on the scoresheet for their respective teams.

There were starts for Southampton trio Zuriel Otseh-Taiwo, Oludare Olufnwa and Kazeem Olaigbe, while Folarin Balogun, goalkeeper Ovie Ejeheri, Mazeed Ogungbo, James Olayinka, Joel Ideho and Nathan Butler Oyedeji were named in Arsenal's starting lineup, making it nine Nigeria-eligible players on the pitch from the off.

Caleb Watts had initially given the Saints the lead inside four minutes but the visitors fought back as Ideho chipped the goalkeeper from outside the box to equalise in the 22nd minute.

On the stroke of halftime, Olaigbe restored Southampton's lead when he converted a spot kick.

Parity was restored again as Balogun went on a solo run before firing past the goalkeeper at the near post in the 77th minute and the drama continued three minutes later when Biereth found the bottom corner, assisted by Ideho, to make it 3-2.

Balogun's strike today took his tally for the season to sixteen goals in all competitions, comprising thirteen in the Premier League 2, two in the Papa John's Trophy and one in the Premier League Cup.

Balogun and Olayinka came close to adding a fourth for Arsenal in the closing minutes but were denied by the Southampton goalkeeper.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel