Some English clubs will forever be grateful to Nigerian players and to some extent African players. Like the days of Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, John Obi Mikel and Yaya Toure at Manchester City, Kolo Toure at Arsenal and many other players at other clubs.
But obviously, if there’s one team that has enjoyed the services of Nigerian players in England, that team has to be the North Londoners, Arsenal. Unlike other English clubs, Arsenal enjoyed a fruitful relationship (albeit not with all of the players) with Nigerian players; it’s not bad if we agree that some players from Nigeria are part of Arsenal’s success story.
Expectedly, some of these players never played for Nigeria due to their place of birth. For some, they haven’t reached that period in their careers while some couldn’t feature for Nigeria due to their inability to impress the NFF of getting call-ups into the Super Eagles but definitely are of Nigerian descent. This is why we will be focussing on Nigerian players who have once plied their trade with Arsenal some who are currently at Arsenal and those on loan.
Aaron Eyoma
Aaron was born on September 22, 1997. He played for the Arsenal youth team in the right midfield position and never got the opportunity to feature for the main team of the North Londoners.
He only made 15 appearances for Arsenal’s youth team and left the club on January 13, 2020, by mutual consent after the expiration of his short term contract. He now plies his trade for the English National League side, Aldershot Town FC.
Tobi Omole
Tobi was born on the 17th of December, 1999. He’s a versatile defender who never shies away from a battle, Tobi played almost every game last season, in a variety of different positions.
In the whole of last season, Tobi played as a left-back, a central defender and a defensive midfielder across 24 appearances for the under-18s. He also played twice in the Premier League 2 and signed his first professional contract at the start of this season for Arsenal’s U-23 side.
Tolaji Bola
Here comes another young defender that got his first call-up into Arsenal’s senior side in September. The 21-year-old was named on the bench during the Carabao encounter with Championship side, Nottingham Forest.
While he may not have made it onto the pitch, Bola was reported to be delighted after being named in the squad but has since been aiming for further senior call-ups, whether at Arsenal or out on loan at other clubs in the Championship or English League one.
READ ALSO: Talent Hunt: 15 Youngsters Of Nigerian Descent Who Could Play For The Super Eagles
Chuba Amechi Akpom
Akpom joined Arsenal at the age of 6. He made his debut for the Arsenal U18 side at the age of 15 and signed his first professional contract with Arsenal on 10 October 2012, a day after he turned 17.
He’s been at several other clubs on loan but currently plays for PAOK Salonika in the Greek Super League. However, Akpom is still eligible to represent Nigeria. In May 2016, it was reported that he was one of three players formally approached by the Nigeria Football Federation but professed in September last year his love to represent Nigeria.
Xavier Amaechi
Born on January 5, 2001, Xavier Casmier Amaechi is a British-Nigerian footballer who played for the Arsenal youth team before moving to German club Hamburger SV.
A thrilling dribbler with a wand of a left foot, Xavier’s capable of playing on either wing but is particularly dangerous cutting in from the right.
Miguel Azeez
Azeez has played 6 league matches for the Arsenal U18 team in the 2019-20 campaign with a goal to his name. He has also made an appearance for the Steve Bould-led U23 team this season.
Azeez’s versatility in different roles, aided by his exciting technique, should give him a decent chance of emulating that trajectory. He has long held a positive reputation within the Arsenal academy and was handed his debut for the Under 18s when he was still 15.
Although he has represented the 3-Lions U 17 side, scoring 12 goals in 14 appearances, Azeez is still eligible to play for Nigeria at the senior level.
Kelechi Nwakali
This full-blooded Nigerian was born on the 5th of June 1998. He started his career at the Diamond Football Academy and after his performances at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, in which he won the Golden Ball Award, after which he signed with English Premier League side Arsenal.
His failure to thrive at Arsenal has made him leave the North London club for SD Huesca in Spain. He albeit remains a potential player for the Super Eagles.
Folarin Balogun
Folarin has a mixture of USA, England, and Nigerian blood in him. He was born on the 3rd of July 2001. The pacey forward started 19 matches in Arsenal’s under-18’s title-winning season, scoring an incredible 25 goals.
The New York-born has featured for both England and USA at under-18 level, but he’s also eligible to play for Nigeria.
His first training with Arsenal’s senior players came this time last year and after the training, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang took to social media to claim that the youngster was on fire!
READ ALSO: Top 10 Fiercest Derbies In Europe
Arthur Okonkwo
Arthur made 14 appearances across all competitions last season, keeping 7 clean sheets and conceding 12 goals. He kept a clean sheet on his Premier League 2 debut at just 17 years of age, and he went on to concede just once more in his next three league outings. Arthur’s also made 4 appearances for the three-lions U18 side.
Okonkwo has made some breathtaking performances for his team which made fans really surprised that at his tender age he is already posing good performance for the youth team.
For Okonkwo to had trained with the likes of Petr Cech when he was with the gunners, it’s a testament to how fast he is developing with his game, perhaps if he decides to choose the country to play for he might choose Nigeria.
Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka was born on 5th September 2001. He is an English professional footballer who plays the role of a winger, left-back or wing-back for Arsenal in the Premier League.
Although talks are still on-going between Saka and the Nigeria Football Federation in order to convince the Arsenal youngster to play for the Super Eagles. As of now, Bukayo is an English Player.
Joseph Olowu
Joseph is another full-blooded Nigerian that was born on the Ibadan side of Oyo State in the South Western Region of Nigeria on the 7th of November, 1999.
The 21-year-old broke into Arsenal’s u23 side at the tender age of 18 but has been loaned out last month to Ireland Premier Division side, Cork FC.
James Ayodele Olayinka
This is another youngster at the age of 20 who is currently out on loan from Arsenal to Northampton Town. He’s pride himself as a dynamic and versatile midfielder who can thrive at any position in the middle of the park.
He’s also been tested as a right-back and is currently eligible to play for both England and Nigeria.
READ ALSO: Bukayo Saka & Ebere Eze: Allegiance Tussle Between England & Nigeria Looks Imminent
Alex Iwobi
Iwobi was born in Lagos before moving to England at the age of four, following a brief stay in Turkey, and grew up in Newham, London. His maternal uncle is former professional footballer Jay-Jay Okocha.
He began his career at Arsenal, making 149 appearances and scoring 15 goals, and winning the FA Cup in 2017. In August 2019, he transferred to Everton for an initial £35 million fee.
He made his senior debut for the Super Eagles on 8 October 2015, replacing Ahmed Musa in the 57th minute of a 2–0 friendly defeat to DR Congo in Visé, Belgium.
Nwankwo Kanu Papilo
This is definitely the greatest Nigerian to don the Jersey of Arsenal. Papilo (as he’s fondly called) represented Arsenal at the biggest stage in a quintessential manner.
Kanu is a native of Abia State, southeast Nigeria, and a member of the Aro sub-group of the Igbo ethnic group. Nwankwo means “Child born on Nkwo market day” in the Igbo language.
He was signed by Arsenal for approximately £4.15 million in February 1999. He played 197 games for Arsenal, scoring 44 goals. Also, Kanu was part of the 2004 ‘Invincibles’ Arsenal squad. He is also famous for the hattrick he scored against Chelsea in 1999.
However, if you think we miss out on any player, please do let us know by using the comment box. Thank You
What about the boy Munir Mohammed Sada?
As of the time of writing the article, Munir Sada is still under U10