Ogunnaike Trains With Arsenal First Team as Lookman Returns Home for Second Leg

Two Nigerians. Two very different stories heading into Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg at the Emirates.

Josh Ogunnaike, 18, was pulled into Arsenal’s first-team session on Monday at Sobha Realty Training Centre in London Colney. Mikel Arteta personally supervised the young left-back — a Hale End Academy product who’s been around the senior group more regularly since Jurriën Timber picked up a groin problem. He’s unlikely to make the matchday squad. But being on the same training pitch as Arteta at 18 is its own statement.

Then there’s Lookman. Atletico Madrid’s squad has landed in London, and for their Nigerian forward it’s a homecoming. Born and raised in the city. Started his career in the Charlton Athletic academy. Now arriving at the Emirates as a Champions League semi-finalist and former African Footballer of the Year.

He’s never scored against Arsenal. Six appearances, zero goals. If he does it on Tuesday, he’d be only the second Nigerian to net in a Champions League semi-final — after Obafemi Martins in 2003.