Nigeria-eligible striker Nathan Butler-Oyedeji could make Arsenal's matchday squad tonight

NIGERIA-eligible striker Nathan Butler-Oyedeji could feature in English Premier League leaders Arsenal's match day squad tonight against Newcastle United after manager Mikel Arteta promoted him to the first team.

Arsenal are the surprise leaders of the Premier League, marking the resumption of hostilities after the World Cup with back-to-back wins against West Ham and Brighton. They now sit seven points clear at the top of the table ahead of favourites Manchester City , with the long-awaited bursting of the bubble simply refusing to materialise.

With the matches now coming thick and fast, Mr Arteta has had to blood some of his youngsters and as part of this process, allowed Butler-Oyedeji to train with the first team ahead of tonight's game. Arteta promoted Butler-Oyedeji , a Hale End Academy product to first team training this week, just as he did before the trip to Brighton and the visit of West Ham United.

So far, Butler-Oyedeji has failed to make the squads that registered back-to-back wins after the World Cup break but is hoping to break his duck tonight.  However, making the matchday squad against the Magpies seems a tough ask considering that Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka have been firing on all cylinders since the Premier League restart.

However, with the games coming relentlessly, the 19-year-old may be considered for the FA Cup third round clash against Oxford United next Monday. Butler-Oyedeji has shown what he is made of against Football League opposition, scoring against Cambridge United, Northampton Town and Stevenage in the Papa John's Trophy.