Nelson Semedo out: Son of 2003 African Games star, Okoduwa in line to make PL history v Arsenal 

England U16 international of Nigerian descent Wesley Okoduwa is in line to make Premier League history on Saturday evening when Wolverhampton Wanderers take on Arsenal at the Molineux Stadium in the West Midlands.

A right-back by trade, Wesley, 15, is the son of former Shakhtar Donetsk and Arsenal Kyiv striker Emmanuel Okoduwa, who played a key role as Nigeria won the silver medal at the 2003 African Games, scoring against South Africa and Senegal in the group stage.

Wolves are facing an injury crisis before the visit of the Gunners, with as many as nine first team players either doubtful or unavailable for selection, including first choice right-back/wing-back Nelson Semedo who is recovering from a muscle-related injury. 

Another fullback in Rayan Aït-Nouri faces a late fitness test before the matchday 34 fixture. 

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O’Neil revealed in his pre-match press conference that Wesley Okoduwa has trained very well and is set to be included in the gameday squad against Arsenal.

Should he receive playing time this evening,, Okoduwa will etch his name into the history books as the youngest player to represent Wolves in the Premier League, aged 15 years and 344 days. 

Anthony Forde set a record as the youngest ever player to represent Wolves in the Premier League, aged 18 years and 10 days, when he came off the bench for the last fifteen minutes of a 3-0 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on November 26, 2011.

Okoduwa received his first call-up for a Premier League game against Newcastle United last month but was a non-playing substitute. 

He has already made his competitive debuts for Wolves U18s and development squad whilst still a schoolboy which is proof of how highly he is rated by the coaching staff. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: wolves.co.uk

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