Arteta pictured talking to 19yo Nigeria-eligible CB during Arsenal training session in Dubai

Published: January 29, 2022

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has taken Republic of Ireland youth international of Nigerian descent, Mazeed Ogungbo to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where the club is holding a training camp.

The Spanish football tactician wants his squad to be in tip-top condition before their next domestic fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on February 10.

The Gunners' form has dropped since the start of the calendar year, going five games without a win and have been knocked out of the Carabao Cup and Emirates FA Cup as a result.

The official website of Arsenal has published training images of the team's first workout at Nad Al Sheba Training Centre in Dubai and one of the pictures showed Arteta having a chat with academy stars Ogungbo, Charlie Patino, Joel Lopez, Alex Kirk and Taylor Forlan.

Training with the first team is not something new to Ogungbo but the versatile central defender has yet to crack a matchday squad since joining the club.

The 19-year-old Irish-Nigerian signed a scholarship in July 2019 and two years later inked his first professional contract.

With the exception of the 3-3 draw against Leicester City in November, the left-footed Ogungbo has been an ever-present for the Gunners development squad in the Premier League 2, making sixteen appearances in total.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : arsenal.com

Copyright ANS

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com