Arsenal boss promotes two Nigerian teenagers to first team training ahead of trip to Man City

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta ran the rule over two teenagers of Nigerian descent on Good Friday, two days before the Gunners face off with Manchester City in a blockbuster Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium. 

Tri-national defender Cam'ron Ismail was spotted in one of the training pictures published by the official website of Arsenal.

Ismail, who was called up for an Egypt U19 training camp in October 2023, is also eligible to represent the national teams of England and Nigeria through his father.

This is not the first time the 17-year-old has been invited to train with the first teamers at Sobha Realty Training Centre in preparation for a competitive game, having trained with the senior players before the Champions League clash against Sevilla around five months ago.

Ismail 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. 

And the same applies to Ethan Nwaneri, who signed his first professional contract with the north London club this week upon his return from Young Lions duty in the Elite Round of qualifiers of the 2024 European U17 Championship.

According to Jeorge Bird, Nwaneri, Ayden Heaven and Myles Lewis-Skelly were among the academy players that joined Ismail in first team training yesterday.

Table-toppers Arsenal have won their last eight games in the Premier League and the last time they failed to win away in the English top-flight was in December at Fulham.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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