Onyedinma makes full PL debut, 16yo Chigozie receives first call-up as Luton are beaten by Arsenal

Versatile Lagos-born winger Fred Onyedinma made his full Premier League debut for Luton Town as they were beaten 2-0 by title-chasing Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening. 

Onyedinma's starting debut in the English top-flight was inevitable as the Hatters are facing an injury crisis at the moment with several first team players sidelined by injuries.

With the likes of 2024 Super Eagles invitee Gabriel Osho, Lagos-born forward Chiedozie Ogbene and Super Eagles hopeful Elijah Adebayo not available for selection, Hatters boss Rob Edwards named a youthful bench that included 16-year-old defender of Nigerian descent Christian Chigozie, his first call-up for a first team game.

Chigozie started the season with the U16s but he's now playing consistently for the U18s and U21s, featuring in Premier League Cup fixtures as well. 

According to Luton Town's official website, the club had to ask for his school's permission for him to miss classes to train with the first team last week.

Chigozie, who will be sitting his GCSEs this summer, would have sported the number 42 on his jersey if he had made his Premier League debut as a substitute, but he stayed on the bench for the entire match.

Onyedinma was walking a disciplinary tightrope after he was booked for pulling down Reiss Nelson while attempting to stop a Gunners' counter attack in the 74th minute, and was substituted shortly thereafter.

It was a straightforward win for the Gunners as Martin Ødegaard's brilliant strike and Daiki Hashioka's own goal in the first half sent them top of the table, at least for twenty-four hours, until Liverpool face Sheffield United on Thursday.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: lutontown.co.uk

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