Arsenal offer two Nigeria-eligible academy youngsters their first professional contracts

ENGLISH Premier league giants Arsenal have offered professional contracts to Nigeria-eligible teenagers  Daniel Oyetunde and Cam'ron Ismail effectively promoting them into the first team from the U18 squad.

Having being offered  the deals, the Hale End Academy graduates can now focus on their football as the development ends all speculation surrounding their futures at the Emirates. Both players are currently in the final year of their scholarship deals and would become free agents if terms are not agreed before their contracts expire on June 30.

Oyetunde, 18, a versatile forward, featured for Arsenal U18s during the just-concluded campaign, appearing in the U18 Premier League, U18 Premier League Cup and FA Youth Cup. He scored goals against West Ham United and Leicester City and contributed two assists in the U18 Premier League, leading to call-ups to the Uefa Youth League and Premier League Two squads.

Ismail, also 18, is a left-back who is eligible for England and Egypt in addition to Nigeria, had a busy season as well. He featured across multiple youth competitions, including the U18 Premier League, Premier League Two, Uefa Youth League, English Football League Trophy and U18 Premier League Cup.

During the season, Ismail's standout moment came on April 17 when he scored his first competitive goal for Arsenal youth teams in a clash against Crystal Palace U18s. Both of these players have been part of Arsenal's setup since U15 level and are viewed as promising talents, hence why they have been given professional contracts.