In a statement on their official website, Premier League champions Arsenal have confirmed their new intake of first-year scholars for the 2026-27 season, with four teenagers of Nigerian descent among the nine young Gunners.
As per Premier League rules, all players in their U17 year are required to start the season on a scholarship agreement, before they are permitted to sign a first professional football contract on or after their 17th birthday.
Hakeem Abubakar, Emerson Nwaneri, Theo Odaji-Ukueku and Jayden Oba all put pen to paper on two-year scholarship agreements at a special event at the Emirates Stadium, with their families, Head of Academy Coaching Luke Hobbs and Head of Academy Operations Will Oldham in attendance.
Abubakar, Nwaneri and Odaji-Ukueku made their competitive debuts for Arsenal U18s as schoolboys.
For the forthcoming season, the quartet have been promoted to Arsenal's U18 squad on a full-time basis and are also eligible to be registered as U21 players in the club's Premier League squad.
A versatile defender, Abubakar can play both in central defence and at left-back, and has been on the books of Arsenal since 2018.
A midfielder by trade, Emerson is the younger brother of Super Eagles target Ethan Nwaneri.
Emerson enjoyed a standout campaign in 2025-2026, scoring a hat-trick against Chelsea's U16s in September 2025 before firing the decisive goal in the Premier League U16 National Finals at St George's Park in November.
Jayden Oba has been awarded a scholarship eight years after joining the Arsenal academy.
One of his standout performances last season came in the Premier League U16 National Finals, where he provided two assists for Emerson Nwaneri as Arsenal defeated Blackburn Rovers in the semifinals.
Odaji-Ukueku has been described as a dynamic holding midfielder with the versatility to slot in at right-back when required, thanks to his strong defensive qualities.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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