“I’ve always been an Arsenal fan” – Leverkusen’s Boniface reveals his love for Arteta’s team

Jose Peseiro invited Boniface to the Super Eagles squad for the first time in September 2023, and he made his debut in Nigeria’s 6-0 win over Sao Tome and Principe.

Super Eagles and Bayer 04 Leverkusen striker, Victor Okoh Boniface, has revealed his love for Mikel Arteta’s team, Arsenal, claiming he’s been a lifelong fan of the club, Soccernet.ng reports.

Boniface, 23, has lit up the Bundesliga with ten goals and seven assists in just sixteen games as Xabi Alonso’s men push for a title charge.

The former Union Saint-Gilloise striker has drawn praise from many, including former Chelsea midfielder, John Mikel Obi.

“What a talent he is, Boniface is another young kid on the block. He’s got the physique and he’s technically gifted, he’s really special. He’s going to be a complete striker very soon, and I can’t wait for what his journey will be like in the coming years,” the 2013 AFCON-winning midfielder told Boniface on the Obi One Podcast.

Quizzed on the qualities fellow summer signing, Granit Xhaka brings to the team, the Nigerian striker was filled with praise for the Swiss, revealing his love for Arsenal.

“Granit brings experience. He brings maturity, he talks to us. Right from a young age, I’ve been supporting Arsenal. I’ve been an Arsenal fan all my life, so I understand the things you say about Granit,” the Leverkusen striker said.

Additionally, Boniface revealed that he didn’t grow up playing as a striker, but rather as an attacking midfielder, and he looked up to former Arsenal midfielders as a kid.

“To be honest, during my childhood, I wasn’t a striker. I was a midfielder before I moved to Europe. I watched a lot of Cazorla, Nasri, and I try to help the team so I can get out of tight spaces,” he said.

Boniface has not featured in any of the two friendlies Nigeria have played in the United Arab Emirates, in preparation for the AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast.