'Whether it is Nigeria, Ghana or England' - Arsenal forward makes big statement on his international future

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong recently stated that he is working to recruit more players of Nigerian heritage to represent the national teams.

In recent years, the Nigeria Football Federation have won the recruitment battle for several dual-national players, including Calvin Bassey, Ademola Lookman, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Nathan Tella, Gabriel Osho and Bright Osayi-Samuel, all of whom were also eligible to represent England.

Andre Harriman-Annous, widely regarded as the most outstanding player of Nigerian descent in Arsenal's academy alongside Ethan Nwaneri, faces a tough decision regarding his international future.

The 2007-born striker is eligible to represent England, where he was born, as well as African powerhouses Nigeria and Ghana, through his mother and father respectively. 

Harriman-Annous has been in the form of his life since the beginning of the 2024-2025 season, scoring on his debuts in the UEFA Youth League, FA Youth Cup, EFL Trophy and U18 Premier League Cup. 

Overall, the Hale End Academy product has scored eleven goals in all competitions—an impressive achievement just five months into his scholarship deal at Arsenal.

When asked whether he has made a decision on his international future, Harriman-Annous told The Sports After Party Podcast: "I haven't decided yet. I haven't been called up either. I can't lie, at the moment, at youth level you can play for who you like, doesn't really matter. 

"I haven't thought about the first team side yet, but I feel like there are so many people that think England, there's not the same opportunity as like Nigeria or Ghana, as it is at England.

"If more people would play for a country like Nigeria or Ghana, the team would actually be good."

Harriman-Annous emphasized that it doesn’t make sense for players to commit their international futures to England over their other eligible countries if there's no clear pathway to the first team, citing the example of Arsenal academy graduate Eddie Nketiah.

When asked about being the difference maker if England wants him but he prefers to play for Nigeria, Harriman-Annous responded: "I was thinking about it. It would be good to be the difference maker. 

"For example, Nketiah when he was at Arsenal, one of the top U21 goalscorers for England, and he's not in the first team, so is there a point of being called up for England if you're just going to get to U21s, U19s and stop.

"The most important thing is to actually play consistently for your country whether it is Nigeria, Ghana or England.”

Andre is eligible to represent the Nigerian national teams through his mother, Josephine Harriman, a high-profile investment banker based in England. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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