Arsenal name nine U21 players of Nigerian descent in new Premier League squad

Arsenal have submitted their revised squad list to the Premier League for the remainder of the 2021-2022 season following the closure of the January transfer window.

Nine players eligible to represent the Nigeria national teams have been included on the roster as U21 players.

They are goalkeepers Arthur Okonkwo (20) and Ovie Ejeheri (18), defenders Zachariah Awe (18) and Mazeed Ogungbo (19), midfielders James Olayinka (21) and Miguel Azeez (19), strikers Joel Ideho (18), Nathan Butler-Oyedeji (19) and Henry Timi Davies (17).

Folarin Balogun, Tim Akinola and Ryan Alebiosu have also been included in the squad but are not available for selection for the second half of the season having been loaned out to Middlesbrough, Dundee United and Crewe Alexandra respectively.

The nine players of Nigerian descent registered have not made their debuts in the Premier League but majority of them have been invited to train with the Gunners first team.

Arthur Okonkwo has been on the bench on five occasions for Premier League matches this season, playing the role of backup goalkeeper to either Aaron Ramsdale or Bernd Leno.