Three Nigerians feature as Arsenal stars of tomorrow play out draw against Boreham Wood

Arsenal U21s were held to a 2-2 draw by Boreham Wood in their first pre-season game held at Mangata Pay UK Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with three teenagers of Nigerian descent in action for the Gunners.

Defenders Samuel Onyekachukwu and Josh Ogunnaike, along with forward Daniel Oyetunde, were introduced at half-time with the scores level at 1-1.

Samuel Onyekachukwu and Josh Ogunnaike are set to begin the upcoming season as second-year scholars, while Daniel Oyetunde is expected to sign his first professional contract after reporting for pre-season training, having been offered a new deal at the end of last term.

Andre Harriman-Annous was not called up for the Gunners U21s first pre-season fixture as he is away with the first team in Spain for a training camp.

Matt Rush tapped in a cross from Clayden to give the National League side the lead inside two minutes but the Gunners' stars of tomorrow were back on level terms in the 11th minute when their number 10, Alex Marciniak slotted into the bottom corner. 

Maalik Hashi came off the bench and quickly scored following a defensive error to give Arsenal a 2-1 lead in the 63 minute but Junior Dixon grabbed a late equalizer for the fifth tier club.

Onyekachukwu, Ogunnaike and Oyetunde will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Hale End Academy products Chuba Akpom, Alex Iwobi, Ethan Nwaneri and Josh Nichols who rose through the ranks to make their first team debuts for Arsenal.

Arsenal U21s return to action for their second pre-season fixture on Tuesday, July 15, with a 7pm kick-off against St Albans City at Clarence Park.
 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit: arsenal.com

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