Nigerian forward trains with Arsenal first team ahead of possible PL home debut v Crystal Palace

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta promoted Nigerian forward Nathan Butler-Oyedeji to first team training on Tuesday, on the eve of his side's Premier League meeting with Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium in London, allnigeriasoccer.com reports. 

Butler-Oyedeji was among the players spotted training at Sobha Realty Training Centre ahead of Wednesday's game against Crystal Palace.

The 22-year-old has played at the Emirates Stadium before, having made his senior debut off the bench in a Champions League clash against Dinamo Zagreb on January 22, 2025.

Approximately three months later, the Hale End Academy graduate finally made his Premier League debut, coming off the bench in a 4-0  win over Ipswich Town on Easter Sunday.

Butler-Oyedeji almost marked his first appearance in English football with a goal, but Ipswich Town goalkeeper Alex Palmer produced a fine fingertip stop to keep him out.

With Arteta likely to rotate his squad ahead of the Champions League semifinal clash against Paris Saint-Germain, it is all but confirmed that Butler-Oyedeji will be included in the gameday squad versus Crystal Palace.

So far this season, Butler-Oyedeji has been named in eleven matchday squads for Premier League games. 

The forward has been on the books of Arsenal since U9 level and impressed consistently as he progressed through the club's youth ranks.

With the injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, Butler-Oyedeji climbed up the pecking order of forwards at Arsenal.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit: arsenal.com

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