Nigerians dominate Arsenal’s U-23 lineup against Brighton
Eight young players of Nigerian heritage made the lineup of Arsenal’s under-23 side that played Brighton and Hove Albion in a Premier League 2 Division One game on Friday evening.
Five of the eight players made the starting eleven while three others were listed among the substitutes.
The starters include Ryan Alebiosu, 18; Tolaji Bola, 21; and the trio of Tim Akinola, James Olayinka and Folarin Balogun — aged 19.
🚨 SALIBA STARTS FOR #AFCU23 🚨#PL2 🏆 pic.twitter.com/aOCDZA3tvd
Advertisement— Arsenal Academy (@ArsenalAcademy) September 18, 2020
While Alebiosu and Bola started from the defence, Akinola and Olayinka took over the midfield with Balogun spearheading the attack.
Balogun is a burgeoning striker that has attracted interest from Sheffield United, an English Premier League side, who had a loan bid rejected earlier in the week.
The substitutes include Ovie Ehejiri, a goalkeeper, Daniel Oyegoke, a defender, and Miguel Azeez, a central midfielder — all three are 17 and highly rated by the club.
#AFCU23 are back in #PL2 action tonight 💪
🆚 @OfficialBHAFC (a)
⏱ Kick-off: 7pm
🏟 AMEX Performance Centre pic.twitter.com/vejw8kifvRAdvertisement— Arsenal Academy (@ArsenalAcademy) September 18, 2020
While Ehejiri has already declared his intention to play for Nigeria’s national team, others have either represented England’s youth setup or are waiting to be called up.
Players of Nigerian heritage make up more than 30% of academy players at Arsenal.
Quite a number of Nigerians have taken to Twitter to react to the development.
wait o, is this Nigeria FC or Arsenal FC? 8 Nigerians listed
Advertisement— Adebayo Femi Mayowa (@Correctfemi) September 18, 2020
This @Arsenal U23 team they make body sweet me. More like Nigeria team B https://t.co/16a7i5Q59l
— Darlington (@darlyton50) September 18, 2020
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About 7 Nigerians in Arsenal U23 team……..we can just call this Nigeria U23…… pic.twitter.com/wZNkf7nq4R
— Victor CyberSec™💧 (@Vhicck) September 18, 2020
Nigeria players dominate Arsenal u 23 team
— Kareem ibrahim (@Bisiwhitty001) September 18, 2020
This is Arsenal U23 starting lineup.
Nigerian parents in London are not joking with this soccer thing.
Kowope. pic.twitter.com/nSrz4duFsT
— Jubril Adedayo (@jaki006) September 18, 2020
Is this Arsenal U23 or Nigeria U23??🤔 https://t.co/Y2pfUCXARf
— Numero Uno🐐 (@shegun20002) September 18, 2020
Arsenal U23 or Nigeria U23??
— Josy Collins (@OfficialJosy1) September 18, 2020
Is this arsenal u23 or Nigeria national team? https://t.co/TJ5GQv2NZM
— Martins Abayomi (@MartinsAbayomi4) September 18, 2020
Is this really arsenal u23
Or Nigeria u23🤔 https://t.co/M04ZCKKWGu— Osamudiamen 🇳🇬 (@blaqdhanny) September 18, 2020
This @Arsenal U23 team they make body sweet me. More like Nigeria team B https://t.co/16a7i5Q59l
— Darlington (@darlyton50) September 18, 2020
@thenff x @RadioPaparazi x @Football_Naija take a look at Arsenal U23 with a lot of Naija talents make unah no dull them for England hand oo https://t.co/3kLp5BEnfQ
— Folarin folzy (@Therealfolzy) September 18, 2020
Yoruba Arsenal U23 https://t.co/kTd9trKfZz
— Segun Ayo (@bobolammeh) September 18, 2020
I see lots of nigerian names reppin Arsenal u23. That’s great for 🇳🇬
— Anderson (@topsyfun5) September 18, 2020
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