Arsenal's £52million summer signings Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez weren't the only new faces at training for the Gunners on Wednesday, with Nigerian attacker Kelechi Nwakali also in action for Arsene Wenger's side.
Nwakali, 18, joined the Gunners this summer from the Diamond Football Academy in Nigeria, and has provisionally been loaned out to MVV Maastricht for the 2016/17 season subject to a work permit being granted.
The attacking midfielder is one of Nigeria's brightest talents, captaining the Super Eagles to Fifa Under-17 World Cup glory in Chile in 2015 and winning the Player of the Tournament award in the process.
While he awaits clearance for his loan - with the work permit decision expected to be resolved next week - Nwakali was delighted to train with Arsenal's first team at London Colney on Wednesday, along with fellow summer arrivals Mustafi and Lucas.
Arsenal’s move for Nwakali first began gaining traction in January, when he travelled to London alongside former Gunners striker Nwankwo Kanu to sign a contract at the Emirates.
But a move for Nwakali could not be completed until the player’s 18th birthday, on June 5, due to Fifa regulations that forbid the transfer of minors unless within the European Union.
Arsenal fought off interest from a string of Europe’s leading clubs, including Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Manchester City, to sign the midfielder – who revealed the influence of Kanu had played heavily on him.
Scroll through the gallery above for more images of Nwakali and Arsenal in training...
