Arsenal signing Kelechi Nwakali has reportedly told close friends that he’ll officially arrive at the club on Saturday, according to reports in own goal Nigeria.
The Nigerian confirmed earlier this week on Facebook that he had completed his move to the north London side after signing a 5-year deal from the Diamond Academy, posting a photo of himself with Gunners manager Arsene Wenger.
It’s a name that most Arsenal fans might not have heard before; a name that resembles, and is representative of the Gunners interest in raw, exceptional young talent.
Agent and brother Allwell Nwakali revealed last week that obligations to the Nigeria U20 squad have held up the prodigy’s move.
The report now claims that Nwakali has confirmed to close friends that he’ll officially arrive in North London on Saturday to officially complete his transfer. It further states that the teenager has already sealed a visa to work in the UK.
Arsenal noticed the Nigerian youngster, during the under-17 world cup. He has been compared to his idol and former Arsenal Legend in Nwankwo Kanu. In fact, it has been reported that the youngster will be wearing the same shirt that his idol wore during his time with the Gunners; the no.25 shirt.
Arsenal’s interest and commitment to raw talent- refinement is popular the world over, an area which Arsene Wenger has held a key expertise in. Nwakali is not the only youngster on the verge of being announced as an Arsenal player on arsenal’s official website. Arsenal have also signed Japanese starlet Takuma Asano, who is being touted as one of Japan’s top-class goal scorers in the years to come.
Granit Xhaka is the only big name and big money signing to have arrived at Arsenal thus far and is going to be, needless to say, drafted into the first team. Nwakali and Asano on the other hand, are likely to either be loaned or feature for the reserve team, unless either are talented enough to be drafted into the first team as well.
Nwakali is an effective player in attack. He is creative and comfortable in possession. His stamina, persistence, and skill make him a well-rounded attacker. Whether his talent is exceptional enough for him to make it into the first team at 18, is yet to be seen.
