Arsenal Set To Sign Nigerian Starlets Kelechi Nwakali & Samuel Chukwueze

Arsène Wenger is confident that Arsenal will complete
the signings of the Nigeria youth internationals Kelechi
Nwakali and Samuel Chukwueze before the transfer
deadline on Monday.
But the manager suggested he would make no senior
additions to supplement the purchase of Mohamed
Elneny as the club’s injury situation had improved
significantly. More on this topic
Wenger goes into Saturday’s FA Cup tie at home to
Burnley with only Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere as
long-term casualties.
Francis Coquelin is back in contention weeks ahead of
schedule after a knee problem and Tomas Rosicky also
back from knee trouble.
Danny Welbeck has returned to full training, having
been out since April of last year with a knee injury, but
he will need a few more weeks before he is competitive
again.
Wenger said that David Ospina would start in goal
against Burnley and he is expected to give Elneny, who
joined two weeks ago from Basel, his full debut. Per
Mertesacker is suspended after his red card in the home
loss to Chelsea last Sunday.
“The team news is quite good because we have many
players in training,” Wenger said.
“The only ones who are off training are Wilshere and
Cazorla. We have 23 players in training, although not
everybody is fully competitive. Welbeck still needs some
training but he is back in full training.
“Will there be any other business?
No, not at the moment. As I told you, I have 23 players in
training, plus two is 25 and unless people go out, we are
not on the verge of bringing anyone in.”
Nwakali, an attacking midfielder, was the player of the
Under-17 World Cup in Chile last year, which Nigeria
won, and at which his team-mate Chukwueze, a winger,
also impressed.
They are part of the Diamond Football Academy in
Nigeria. “The talks are progressing well,” Wenger said.
“Do I expect them to be done this month? Yes. Of course,
there are work permit issues and medical issues, because
they have to take medicals. But it is progressing well.
“We identified Nwakali as the player of the tournament,
basically, and as a top player.
We will see if we can manage to get it over the line
during this transfer period. [If we can], we will do it.
Chukwueze is [signing] as well.”