Arsenal hand Nigeria-eligible teenagers Harriman-Annous and Ibrahim first-team chance

Andre Harriman-Annous and Ife Ibrahim trained with Arsenal’s senior squad before Tuesday’s Carabao Cup meeting with Fleetwood, according to allnigeriasoccer.com.

The Nigeria-eligible teenagers took part in the full session alongside Mikel Arteta’s first-team players, even though Arsenal Under-21s were preparing for their final EFL Trophy group match against AFC Wimbledon.

Their promotion for the session could give both players an opportunity to be involved when Arsenal face Fleetwood at Highbury, with a place in the fifth round of the Carabao Cup at stake.

Harriman-Annous and Ibrahim are established figures within Arsenal’s youth system and have already played for the first team. Their previous senior opportunities came as recognition for their progress at the Hale End Academy.

Harriman-Annous, an 18-year-old forward, has scored four goals in 10 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal’s youth sides this season. He has not yet played for the senior team during the current campaign, although he made two first-team appearances in earlier seasons.

The training opportunity offers him the chance to impress Arteta and strengthen his prospects of being selected for Tuesday’s match against Fleetwood.

Ibrahim has made 10 appearances across Arsenal’s teams this season and has contributed one assist. The midfielder has also played twice for Arsenal in his career, with those appearances coming in the UEFA Champions League and the Carabao Cup.

He has already featured for the senior side this season. Ibrahim came on in the closing stages of Arsenal’s 4-2 win against Ipswich, a result which took the club through to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

Both youngsters were pictured taking part in the session with the senior squad, despite the Under-21 side’s preparations for their EFL Trophy fixture against AFC Wimbledon.

Their involvement will increase interest in whether either player is included in Arsenal’s squad for the Carabao Cup tie, with the club seeking to progress to the fifth round.