Nigeria-eligible left back Josh Ogunnaike has trained with Arsenal’s first team ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League game at Bayern Munich. The 18 year old is still waiting for his senior debut.
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Nigeria-eligible left-back Josh Ogunnaike joined Arsenal’s first-team training session on Tuesday, October 20, as Mikel Arteta’s side prepared for Wednesday’s Champions League Matchday 3 game at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena. The 18 year old was among the academy players involved.
Ogunnaike has not yet made his senior debut for Arsenal, and training with the first team does not guarantee a place in the matchday squad. New Bet9ja users can claim Bet9ja’s YOHAIG registration bonus before the next round.
He is London-born and of Nigerian descent, and he joined Arsenal’s Hale End academy in 2021 at the age of 13. He can play at left back or centre-half, and Arsenal describe him as a towering defender.
He signed his first professional contract with Arsenal in July 2026 after five years in the academy. Last season he made 40 appearances across three age groups and six competitions.
He has scored once in two UEFA Youth League appearances this season. That is a strong return for a defender, and it follows his first Youth League goal last season.
This is not his first taste of senior training. He has trained with the first team several times, including before last season’s Premier League game against Fulham, and he was also involved in senior-squad sessions during pre-season. Premier League fans can back EPL teams on Bet9ja ahead of this weekend’s games.
His presence also gives Arteta another left-back option, even with Colombian defender Piero Hincapie returning to training.
Opportunities like this matter, but the next step is much harder. Arsenal’s senior squad is packed with defenders, and Ogunnaike will need patience, form and a bit of luck to get into a matchday squad.
Arsenal’s next game after Bayern is at home to Everton on Saturday, October 24. Readers curious about betting can see the Bet9ja promotion code highlights first.
📌 Did You Know?
- Ogunnaike was born on 4 April 2008.
- Last season he started three of Arsenal U19s’ six UEFA Youth League games, scoring one goal and providing an assist.
- Arsenal’s Hale End academy has also produced Nigerian-descent players Alex Iwobi and Chuba Akpom.
- In April 2026, Arteta invited Ogunnaike to first-team training the day before a Champions League game against Sporting CP, but he was still not named in a matchday squad.
- On 1 May 2026 he trained with the first team again before the Fulham game, with Jurrien Timber out injured.
