Arsenal retain many Nigeria-eligible players ahead of new season

Arsenal have retained at least a dozen players of Nigerian descent ahead of the new season

After a mixed season in 2021/22, players of Nigerian eligibility at Arsenal will still remain at the club.

Some of the players are highly-rated by the club having shown immense promise.

While some of these players were sent on loan last season to have some game time under their belt and also develop their skill and confidence, others were kept at the club and played at the U-23 level, also sometimes featuring as substitutes in league games.

With Arsenal facing the Europa League next season, there’s the need to have as many players as possible on board with many of them guaranteed to be registered for the Gunners’ European sojourn.

Miguel Azeez, Ryan Alebiosu, Mazeed Ogungbo, Ovie Ejeheri, Arthur Okonkwo, Folarin Balogun, Tim Akinola, Zachariah Awe, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, James Olayinka, Henry Timi Davies and Joel Ideho have all been retained at the club.

Azeez went on an uninspiring loan spell at Portsmouth last season as he struggled to get game time. He was recalled back to the U-23s and is a regular feature in first team training sessions.

Folarin Balogun was on an impressive loan spell at Middlesbrough last season having started the first game of the season for Arsenal.

The duo of Alebiosu and Akinola played on loan last season at Crewe Alexandria and Dundee. Okonkwo was a regular feature as substitute goalkeeper in the Premier League and during cup games. He will be looking to make a better impression in preseason this year having failed to impress last year during preseason.

Mazeed Ogungbo has also appeared as substitute in Premier League games and will also be expecting some opportunities in cup games in the new season.