After training with first team this week, 16yo Ogunnaike makes debut for Arsenal U21s

Talented fullback Josh Ogunnaike, 16, made his competitive debut for Arsenal's development squad in a Premier League 2 clash against Newcastle United at Meadow Park on Friday.

Arsenal have high hopes for the first year scholar, with manager Mikel Arteta inviting the defender to train with the senior team on multiple occasions this season. 

Ogunnaike was among the academy players that trained with the first team at Sobha Realty Training Centre on Tuesday, February 18.

However, the likelihood of the left-back receiving his first-ever call-up to the first team for Saturday's match against West Ham United is minimal, given he was on U21 duties last night.

With nineteen minutes remaining, manager Mehmet Ali made his first change, bringing on Ogunnaike as a replacement for another fullback of Nigerian descent, Josh Nichols.

Sebastian Ferdinand, Khayon Edwards and Osman Kamara found the net to give the young Gunners a three-goal lead at the interval.

After Jay Turner-Cooke pulled one back at minute 78, Salah-Eddine Oulad M'Hand restored the three-goal lead with a stunning free-kick less than two minutes later.

Nathan Butler-Oyedeji and Ethan Nwaneri's omission from the Magpies game indicates they are being considered for selection in the gameday squad to take on West Ham in the Premier League.

Ogunnaike shares the same agent as Super Eagles stars Alex Iwobi, Joe Aribo, Ola Aina, Terem Moffi and Josh Maja.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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