Nigeria-eligible teenager makes first appearance at Emirates as Arsenal lose to Juventus 

Premier League table toppers Arsenal were beaten 2-0 by Juventus in a mid-season friendly at the Emirates Stadum on Saturday night. 

As for team news, schoolboy Ethan Nwaneri and winger Nathan Butler-Oyedeji were named among the Gunners substitutes.

The two promising teenagers of Nigerian descent were spotted training with the first team at London Colney on Friday before the visit of the Old Lady to the English capital. 

Reiss Nelson came close to giving Arsenal an early lead but hit the side netting in the second minute before the Juventus goalkeeper denied Fabio Vieira with a great save, 

Eddie Nketiah thought he had scored the opening goal of the game after 34 minutes but it was disallowed for offside. 

Arsenal's failure to make their dominance count was punished a minute into stoppage time when  Granit Xhaka headed a cross into his own net. 

Nwaneri made his first appearance at the Emirates Stadium when he replaced Marquinhos on 78 minutes and he did not look out of place playing against more physical opponents. 

The 15-year-old almost marked his 'home debut' with a goal but saw his attempt narrowly miss the target. 

Former Chelsea schoolboy Samuel Iling-Junior, via a deflected effort, doubled the advantage for Juventus in the 91st minute. 

The Gunners are back in competitive action for the first time after the World Cup break on Boxing Day when they host West Ham United in a derby. 

Igho Kingsley 

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