Five Nigerian players miss Arsenal's development squad friendly against Villarreal 

Five players eligible to represent the Nigerian national teams were missing as Arsenal's development squad were beaten 2-0 by Villarreal U21s in a friendly at the Pinatar Arena in Murcia on Friday.

According to Arsenal youth team guru Jeorge Bird, 2022 Nigeria U23 invitee Tim Akinola, 2023 Flying Eagles invitee Ovie Ejeheri, Ryan Alebiosu, Miguel Azeez and Nathan Butler-Oyedeji were missing from the game. 

Allnigeriasoccer.com exclusively reported three days ago that Akinola was left out of the traveling squad to Spain because he's in London mulling over his options ahead of a departure from the Emirates Stadium this summer.

As for Ejeheri, the promising goalkeeper has been granted an extended vacation following the conclusion of his loan spell at Finnish club Seinäjoen Jalkapallokerho and he is not expected to resume training with the Arsenal U21s until August. 

Alebiosu, Azeez and Butler-Oyedeji have returned to the Gunners after loan spells at Kilmarnock, Wigan Athelic and Accrington Stanley respectively last season. 

First year scholar Ethan Nwaneri traveled with the U21s to Spain after he was omitted from the first team's roster to the United States. 

The England U17 international of Nigerian descent had to come off the bench inside twenty minutes after Myles Lewis-Skelly sustained an injury. 

In their next pre-season friendly, Arsenal U21s will face Boreham Wood, followed by games against Chelmsford City, Luton Town U21s and Bishop’s Stortford. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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