Defender Godfrey Oboabona has rejected the chance to join
Arsenal – after manager Arsene Wenger invited the player for a trial with the
Premier League side.
‘Arsenal’s management tell me to come for a trial when I
won the African Nations Cup. I think I should be above such requests. It is
high time some of these clubs started respecting Nigeria.’
The 22-year old versatile centre-back currently plays for
Nigerian league side Sunshine Stars. He featured in this summer’s
Confederations Cup, making three appearances.
Fresh from winning the African Nations Cup with Nigeria
in January, Arsenal were scouting Oboabona, and were keen to bring him to their
London training ground to see him in action. However, his rejection of the
offer for a trial has now ended any further interest from Arsenal.
Memories of a similar incident in 2000 with Swedish
international forward Zlatan Ibrahimovich come to mind for Arsenal fans.
“Zlatan doesn’t do auditions” was the memorable soundbite of a man who turned
down Arsenal and became one of the best forwards in the world.
Arsenal will be hoping the same doesn’t happen with
Oboabona, but the 22-year old has been highly rated by many sides in Italy and
Russia. Could he be the one that got away?
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