Arsenal Loanee Bola Makes Professional Debut For Rochdale, 79 Days Shy Of 22nd Birthday

Published: October 19, 2020

Arsenal-owned defender Tolaji Bola has finally made his professional debut, going the distance for Rochdale in their 3-0 loss to Hull City in a League One game on Saturday, October 17, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

Born January 4, 1999, the promising left-back was 79 days shy of his 22nd birthday when he stepped out on to the Crown Oil Arena turf in Greater Manchester.

A Mallik Wilks brace and a goal from Josh Magennis condemned Rochdale to their fourth loss of the season.

Bola's first squad involvement for Arsenal since going professional in January 2016 was against Nottingham Forest in the League Cup back in September 2019 but the then Gunners manager Unai Emery didn't utilise him off the bench.

He was an unused substitute for The Dale against Accrington Stanley on October 10, two days after his loan move was confirmed.

With Kieran Tierney, Sead Kolašinac and Bukayo Saka ahead of Bola in the pecking order of left-backs at the Emirates Stadium, he has been loaned out to experience a taste of first-team football.

The former England youth international will remain on loan at Rochdale until January 2021.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : rochdaleafc.co.uk

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