Arteta promotes two Nigeria-eligible players to Arsenal first team training before Southampton clash

Published: April 13, 2022

Manager Mikel Arteta promoted two players of Nigerian descent to first team training ahead of Arsenal's trip to Hampshire, where they will do battle with Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

England U20 international Miguel Azeez and Republic of Ireland U19 international Mazeed Ogungbo were invited to train with the first team at London Colney on Wednesday.

The two teenagers were in the provisional squad for the visit of Brighton & Hove to the Emirates Stadium last weekend, but Ogungbo was left out of the matchday squad and Azeez was a non-playing substitute in what was his second squad involvement for a Premier League game.

Arteta has been checking out the two Nigeria-eligible players in recent days with Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey out injured and not available for selection.

Midfielder Azeez already has first team experience this season, playing ten matches for Portsmouth in the first half of the season before he was recalled from his loan spell in January.

And last season, the Hale End Academy product made his professional debut against Dundalk in the Europa League.

Left footed central defender Ogungbo started for the Arsenal team that thrashed Brentford 4-1 in a bounce game late last month.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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