Arsenal Promote 2 Nigerians to First Team Ahead of Manchester City Clash

Arsenal Promote 2 Nigerians to First Team Ahead of Manchester City Clash

Chukwu Ikechukwu
March 30, 2024 at 1:48 PM
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  • Two Nigerian youngsters have been promoted to the Arsenal first-team
  • The two players will travel with the Gunners team to the Man City game
  • Arsenal will tackle the EPL defending champions on Sunday at the Etihad

Ethan Nwaneri and Cam'ron Ismail have been included in Arsenal’s first-team squad for their blockbuster Premier League clash against defending champions Manchester City on Sunday, March 31.

Both Nigerian-born youngsters were spotted training with the Gunners first-team and have been included in the squad by manager Mikel to travel to the Etihad Stadium.

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Ethan Nwaneri is one of two youngsters Mikel Arteta has promoted to the Arsenal first team ahead of the game against Manchester City. Photo by David Price.
Source: Getty Images

According to All Nigeria Soccer, Ismail, who is eligible to play for England, Egypt and Nigeria, has not been registered on Arsenal's main Premier League roster, reserved for the seasoned players in the first team, but he's eligible to feature in the top flight as he is classed as an U21 player.

Nwaneri, on the other hand, signed his first professional deal with the north London club this week, after returning from Young Lions action in the Elite Round of qualifying for the 2024 European U17 Championship.

Arsenal are favourites against Manchester City because they have won their past eight Premier League games and have not lost an away game in the English top flight since December at Fulham.

Nwaneri delighted with Arsenal deal

Meanwhile, Nwaneri says he is delighted to have signed his first professional contract with Arsenal after joining the Premier League club’s academy at the age of nine, Leadership Newspapers reports.

The 17-year-old youngster described the process as a dream come true for him and his family and said it was a result of hard work and dedication.

Nwaneri will join the rest of the Arsenal team for their trip to defending champions Manchester City for their Premier League clash this Sunday.

Nwaneri signs first Arsenal contract

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that youngster Nwaneri has signed his first professional deal with the English Premier League team Arsenal.

Nwaneri became the youngest player to appear in the English Premier League at the age of 15 years and 181 days, coming off the bench against Brentford in September 2022.

Although he has not been in the Premier League since then, the midfielder has been in outstanding form at the youth level.

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Chukwu Ikechukwu
Chukwu Ikechukwu Godwin is a journalist with over 9 years of experience in the Nigerian media industry. He has worked both in Radio (Today FM, Rhythm FM, Wish FM) and Television (Silverbird TV) as a Sports Analyst..