Nigerian youngsters, Tolaji Bola and James Olayinka were promoted to first team training on Sunday, ahead of Arsenal’s next Premier League match against Bournemouth.
The Gunners new manager Mikel Arteta held his first training session at London Colney, and the Spaniard observed the two Nigerians at close quarters ahead of their possible senior debuts.
Olayinka has been inching closer to a professional debut in recent weeks, having trained with the first team severally this season and was a non-playing substitute in their last Europa League game against Standard Liege earlier this month.
For Bola, the defender has had an impressive campaign so far with the U23s and is comfortable playing as a left back and in the central defence.
Arsenal are currently undergoing an injury crisis in their full back positions, with regulars Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac all ruled out of the trip to the Vitality Stadium.
Bukayo Saka, who has become an important part of the Gunners senior team this season thanks to his end product and versatility, was not spotted training with the squad today, having gone the distance in Saturday’s match against Everton.
