18yo goalkeeper eligible for Nigeria and Ghana trains with Arsenal first team pre-Olympiacos

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta ran the rule over tri-national goalkeeper Khari Ranson on the eve of his side's UEFA Champions League clash with Greek Super League giants Olympiacos.

An England U18 international, the London native is also eligible to represent Nigeria and Ghana through his father and mother respectively.

Ranson rubbed shoulders with goalkeepers David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga during Tuesday's training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre in London Colney.

The 18-year-old is among the players of Nigerian descent registered on Arsenal's List B for the Champions League. 

Cam'ron Ismail, Josh Nichols, Josh Ogunnaike, Samuel Onyekachukwu, Ethan Nwaneri, Andre Annous, Ife Ibrahim and Daniel Oyetunde are also eligible to represent the Gunners in the Champions League. 

His temporary promotion comes with Arsenal missing Alexei Rojas, who is away on international duty with Colombia at the Fifa U20 World Cup in Chile. 

Ranson has consequently moved up the goalkeeping pecking order, though a debut against Olympiacos remains unlikely. Were he to feature, he would don the number 79 shirt.

Interestingly, Ranson began his youth career as a holding midfielder and central defender before converting to a goalkeeper when his team needed someone to fill the role. 

He has since flourished in the position and is now in his eighth year with the club, having joined Arsenal at U10 level.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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