Arsenal’s reported signing Kelechi Nwakali, has not been officially unveiled as an Arsenal player because of his commitments on the international team front, as reported by The Daily Star.
Arsenal transfer for the promising youngster has been in the grey area for a few weeks now.
Even after it was confirmed all across social media that the Nigeria under-20 international had signed with the Gunners, there has been no official announcement yet, nor does the player feature on the first team roaster with the supposedly allotted No.25 shirt.
According to this report, his brother and agent, Allwell Nwakali, had this to say to All Nigeria soccer:
“Any moment from now we will go to Arsenal, they can’t allow him go now because of the narrow victory in the [Afcon Under-20 qualifier] first leg against Sudan”
“We can’t betray the coach (Amuneke) because he has been helping us in the past.”
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 Arsenal; 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 to 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.
