Nwakali gets Kanu’s old Arsenal jersey number

Arsenal are set to give new signing Kelechi Nwakali the No.25 shirt after completing a deal to sign the young forward, reports www.squawka.com. The shirt was once won by former Super Eagles’ captain, Nwankwo Kanu.

Nwakali confirmed earlier last week on Instagram that he had completed his move to the north London side from the Diamond Academy, posting a photo of himself with Gunners manager, Arsene Wenger.

The 18-year-old young forward, who caught the eye of the Arsenal boss after impressing at last year’s Under-17s World Cup, has joined the Premier League runners-up on a five-year deal.

It has been revealed that Arsenal’s new signing has been given the number 25 at the club, after Nwakali requested to wear it in tribute to the now retired player.

Chief Executive Officer of the Diamond Academy, Emeka Amajiriaku, told AllNigeriaSoccer: “Arsenal have informed us that Kelechi has been handed the number 25 jersey. He was trying to get that number because of Kanu Nwankwo, so he’s happy they gave it to him.”

As Nwakali has been handed the No.25, it is now likely he will be included in the Gunners first team squad for the 2016/17 season.

Previous wearers of the shirt also include Togo’s Emmanuel Adebayor and defender Carl Jenkinson, who was the last player for Arsenal to don the No.25.

Jenkinson hasn’t represented the Gunners since the last day of the 2013/2014 Premier League season, though, and has spent the last two campaigns on loan with West Ham.

It appears the right-back will be moved to a new shirt after Nwakali bagged the No.25 for the coming campaign.